About Shanna
Shanna Francis is a fifth-generation resident of Ogden Valley, descended from founding families of Eden, Huntsville, and Liberty.
She graduated Phi Kappa Phi and Cum Laude from Weber State University with a B.A. in Political Science (Legal Studies minor, Urban Planning emphasis). She went on to earn two master’s degrees from the University of Utah in Public Administration (Urban Planning emphasis) and Middle East Studies, both with honors. She also completed coursework toward dual PhDs in Political Science and Middle East Studies, while taking classes at SJ Quinney College of Law.
Shanna is founder, co-owner, and editor of The Ogden Valley News, launched in 1998. Her career includes work as a technical writer for the Shipley Group and positions in Ogden City’s Community Development and Planning offices. She has developed master plans, water conservation plans, and worked extensively in resource and environmental management with local, state, and federal agencies.
Her service includes vice-chair of the Ogden Valley Planning Commission, chair and long-time board member of the Ogden Valley Land Trust, and roles with various community, educational, and humanitarian organizations. She has been recognized with awards including the Weber County Golden Seal of Service and Outstanding Volunteer Award from Team Hill AEF Family Resiliency Retreats.
You can explore more of Shanna’s thoughts and writing on local issues by visiting the Articles page, where she’s shared a selection of pieces written over the years for The Ogden Valley News.
Qualifications & Experience
BA, Political Science with Legal Studies minor & Urban Planning emphasis (1994, WSU). Graduated Cum Laude as a member of the Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi. Recipient of the prestigious Abrelia Hinckley Scholarship.
MA, Public Administration, urban planning minor (2005, U of U). Summer of 2005, traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania with a team from the U of U Poli Sci Dept under a professorial grant to study the evolution of democracy in the former Soviet state, specifically looking at the role of special interest groups in the democratization process.
MA, Middle East Studies, Political Science emphasis (2013, U of U).
Course work completed for PhD in Political Science (U of U).
Course work completed for PhD in Middle East Studies/Political Science emphasis (U of U). Wrote a book review of U of U professor M. Hakan Yavuz’s book “Secularism & Muslim Democracy in Turkey,” which was published Spring 2010 (Vol. 19, No. 1) in the Journal “Digest of Middle East Studies.”
SJ Quinney College of Law at the U of U. As a PhD candidate, concurrently enrolled in law classes at the U of U SJ Quinney College of Law. In an international law class on Iraq, was part of a think-tank providing legal support for the Iraqi government as fulfillment of a $10 million grant contract with the university. I worked with Dr. Chibli Mallat and six other law students, collaborating on writing the material for a book on Iraq published by Aspen Publishing Company, (2009). The book, Iraq—Guide to Law and Policy, was published for use, primarily, Iraqi government officials and others interested in the historical and current political affairs of Iraq, and the development of Iraqi constitutional law after 2006.
Have studied at top universities across the world: Boğazici University in Istanbul, Turkey (2010); University of Moscow in Moscow, Russia (2002); and the University of Tartu in Tartu, Estonia (1993).
Founder and co-owner of SR Communications, DBA The Ogden Valley News, serving as CEO, journalist, and editor. In operation since 1998.
Taught at WSU as an adjunct professor in the university’s Political Science Dept.
Technical Writer for the Shipley Group, writing/editing EA & EIS NEPA documents for EPA.
Worked for Ogden City in their Community Development & Planning offices.
Zone Coordinator for Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD) under the auspices of Dept. of Agriculture for six districts in five Northern Utah counties. As Zone Coordinator, served as a liaison between locally elected district boards & local, state, and federal agencies; city and county councils and commissions; and nonprofit organizations to reach district conservation goals and execute district policy.
Served as a water management specialist with UACD, developing and writing water management & conservation plans for water companies along the Wasatch Front.
Served as a planning commissioner on, and vice-chair of Weber County’s OV Planning Commission (2018 - 2022).
Served for over 20 years (and continue to serve) on OV Land Trust board, a nonprofit organization protecting open space in OV, which currently oversees conservation easements on approximately 6,000 acres in the Valley.
Served on the Eden Historical Monument Committee that was responsible for planning, organizing & building the historical monument now standing in Eden Park, which honors Eden’s founders.
Founding board member of N. Ogden’s Maria Montessori Charter School.
Served on Ogden City’s Multicultural Advisory Board.
Participated in numerous humanitarian service projects throughout the world for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other nonprofit organizations, including projects in Armenia, Kiribati, Kenya, Moldova, and Russia.
Recipient of the Golden Seal of Service Award from Weber County (2019).
“I will work to ensure the health and sustainability of Ogden Valley, balancing the rights of residents with responsible growth that protects natural resources, supports local businesses, and preserves our unique community character. I bring over 30 years of service and collaboration with county, state, and federal partners, and look forward to representing and supporting all residents.”
— Shanna Francis
