Research Team
Jason Jurjevich, Ph.D.

A broadly trained human geographer, Jason's research interests focus on the socio-spatial implications of demographic change, with a particular emphasis on mobility and migration. Arriving at Portland State University (PSU) in 2010 to serve as the Assistant Director of the Population Research Center, he also works closely with the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies to explore political, economic, and demographic trends in the Portland metro area. Jason is an Assistant Professor in the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning where he teaches courses in population geography and applied demographic methods, and also directs the PSU Graduate Certificate in Applied Social Demography.

Phil Keisling

As Oregon's elected Secretary of State from 1991-99, Phil oversaw Oregon's election system and worked closely with state legislators and local election officials to pass and implement a number of election administration reforms, including Oregon's Universal Vote by Mail system. Since 2010, he has served as Director of the PSU's Center for Public Service, a unit of the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government whose mission is to connect school, faculty and student resources with the needs of public service practitioners. Phil also served in the Oregon state House of Representatives and is a contributing editor of the WashingtonMonthly magazine.

Kevin Rancik

Kevin Rancik earned his Master of Science degree in Geography in 2011 from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. He has since worked at the University's Population Research Center, where he works on redistricting, population estimates and forecasts, and mapping projects. His interests include, but are not limited to, electoral and urban geography, urban redevelopment, and environmental issues.

Carson Gorecki

As a 2016 graduate of the Masters of Urban and Regional Planning program at Portland State University, Carson's urban interests are economic development, housing policy, and improved community engagement. Prior to his time at Portland State, he worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is also a proud alumnus of the Macalester College Geography Department.

Stephanie Hawke

Stephanie Hawke is a Senior Research Assistant for the Center for Public Service, and a doctoral student in Public Affairs and Policy program at Portland State University (estimated completion in June 2017). Stephanie holds a BA in International Relations from University of California, Davis (completed in 2009). Her applied research focuses on local government and issues of civic engagement and inclusion. Her academic research focuses on comparative urban politics, the politics of representation, and policy analysis. She is currently writing on her dissertation, “The Dynamic Returns of Representation: Descriptive Representation and Policy Outcomes in Urban Government.”