Michael Moran

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Senior Lecturer, Communication Studies

"I have had the very special gift in life to work in public affairs and higher education. My time at SMU has been the best experience in staff, students, and the community."

Area of Expertise

  • Communications Studies

Education

M.S., Communications, Eastern Washington University
B.A., Communications, Eastern Washington University
B.A., Government, Eastern Washington University

Background

As an educator, I have taught at a variety of colleges and universities in my 28-year long career. I specialize in Political Communications, Presentational Speaking, and have served as a Collegiate Speech and Debate Coach at SFCC.

The list of schools would include: Community Colleges of Spokane (SFCC),
Eastern Washington University, ÁùºÏ²Ê¿â's University, South Puget Sound Community College, and Whitworth University.

I have been involved with campaigns, politics, and public affairs since 1983. I grew up in Spokane, and currently reside in Olympia.

My work has been almost always in conjunction with executive and legislative agencies, as well as local and federal governments.  I have served as the first Director of Public Affairs for a large government with 1,800 employees. I can work with elected officials, executive officers of businesses and organizations, boards of directors, and associated professionals from a variety of experiences and political backgrounds.

As a consultant, I strive for the integration of a complete strategy of businesses, private individuals, press, public communications, and policy advocacy. In my current lobbying contract roles, I must work in close concert with coalitions of partners with both mutual and independent policy goals and objectives.

Successful legislative advocacy combines many things.  There must be a realistic assessment of what is possible, and a strategy for success.  A clear, concise, compelling message must be developed for the issue.  Stakeholders and champions must be identified, recruited, and provided supporting material. Throughout the entire process, progress needs to be monitored and, as needed, modified as conditions or dynamics change.  Because there are so many critical deadlines or steps to the successful advocacy of an issue, members of your government relations team must have a detailed understanding of the process.  Finally, legislative advocacy for a public agency requires special attention to state and local laws and the restrictions that apply to a public agency.