Sheldon Gen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Public Administration Program. He studies contemporary American public policy, the processes by which they are developed and implemented, and their impacts.  Recently, his teaching and research interests have focused on environmental policy, education finance policy, and public participation in the policy process.

His interests in these areas stem from his work over thirteen years in the public and non-profit sectors prior to coming to San Francisco State University .  His previous professional experience has included employment and consultancies with local, state, national, and international organizations including the Peace Corps, the US Air Force, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Environmental Policy Institute, the US State Department, two state transportation agencies, Plan International, and many local agencies in the areas of education, human services, and public infrastructure.

He is an alumnus of the Presidential Management Fellowship, and holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Cal Poly, a license in engineering, a M.P.A. from University of Southern California , and a Ph.D. in public policy from Georgia Tech.
His wife, Laine, teaches French at Balboa High School in San Francisco .  They have a son, Linden , born in 2005.