David H. Shinn

David H. Shinn
19thUnited States Ambassador toEthiopia
In office 1996–1999
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Irvin Hicks
Succeeded by	Tibor P. Nagy
Director for East African Affairs,United States Department of State
In office 1993–1996
Deputy Task Force Director and Coordinator for Somalia,United States Department of State
In office 1992–1993
10thUnited States Ambassador to Burkina Faso
In office 1987–1990
Preceded by	Leonardo Neher
Succeeded by	Edward P. Brynn
Personal details
Born	(1940-06-09)June 9, 1940 Yakima, Washington
Spouse	Judy Shinn
Children	Chris Shinn, Steve Shinn
Residence	Washington D.C
Website	davidshinn.blogspot

David H. Shinn(born June 9, 1940) is an American diplomat and professor. He is an Adjunct Professor of International Affairs atThe George Washington University'sElliott School of International Affairs.His diverse career in theforeign serviceof the United States has included ambassadorships toEthiopiaandBurkina Faso.Shinn is also a frequent commentator in the news media on political issues, and has provided consultancy to the U.S. government onHorn of Africarelated matters as well asSino-African relations.

Education

Shinn received his B.A. (1962), M.A. (1963), and Ph.D. (1980) fromGeorge Washington University.He also received a certificate in African Studies fromNorthwestern Universityand was diplomat-in-residence atUniversity of California, Los AngelesandSouthern Universityin Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Government Service

Shinn served for 37 years in theUnited States Foreign Servicewith assignments at embassies in Lebanon, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritania, Cameroon, Sudan, and as ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.

Philanthropy

Shinn is active in several non-governmental organizations focused on the Horn of Africa and the African Great Lakes region. He serves on the board of directors forAdeso,an NGO founded by the Somali environmentalistFatima Jibrell.It conducts programs inSomalia,KenyaandSouth Sudan.Additionally, Shinn is on the board of directors of thePhi Theta KappaFoundation.

Awards

• 1994 – National Alumnus of the Year,American Association of Community Colleges
• 1995 – International Alumnus of the Year byPhi Theta Kappa,the community college scholastic honor society

External links

• David Shinn bioprovided by George Washington University
• David Shinn blog
• Profile of David ShinninGW Today
• AppearancesonC-SPAN