LCDR Chris Shih - United States Coast Guard Academy

Christen (Chris) C. Shih, MBA, MSIS, GCCM, Lieutenant Commander, USCG

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Chris Shih graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Management. His first assignment was to the USCGC BERTHOLF (WMSL-750) where he served as the ship’s Electrical Division Officer, Damage Control Assistant, a Boarding Officer, an Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection team leader, and an underway Officer of the Deck. In 2014 LCDR Shih reported to District 11 Enforcement working as a Law Enforcement Duty Officer and the Eastern Pacific Operations Section Chief, directing and coordinating counter narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere. In 2017, he reported to Sector San Francisco’s Emergency Management and Force Readiness Department, overseeing the Ready for Operations team, Area Maritime Security Committee, and Port Readiness committee while directing Search and Rescue operations as a Command Duty Officer. During this tour LCDR Shih also received the 2017 Navy League of the United States’ Pacific Central Region’s Junior Officer of the Year award and in his assignment as the Sector’s Public Affairs Officer, played a vital role in the unit being honored with the 2017 Commander Jim Simpson award for Public Affairs excellence. Prior to reporting to the Management Department as a rotating military instructor in 2022, LCDR Shih completed his graduate school education in the David Eccles school of business at the University of Utah, graduating with a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Information Systems, and a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management. LCDR Shih also serves as the Coast Guard Academy’s Boxing Club advisor and coach as well as an advisor to Coast Guard Academy’s Asian Pacific American Council.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Management, United States Coast Guard Academy, 2012
Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University, 2020
Master of Business Administration, David Eccles School of Business, 2022
Master of Science in Information Systems, David Eccles School of Business, 2022
Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management, David Eccles School of Business, 2022

Courses Taught

Introduction to Computing
Computer Problem Solving
Systems Analysis and Design

Professional Certifications, Affiliations, and Memberships

Public Relations Society of America

Honors and Awards

Navy League of the United States Pacific Central Region Junior Officer of the Year (Support), 2017
Commander Jim Simpson Award, 2017

Contact Information

Phone: (860) 701-6420
Email: Christen.C.Shih@uscga.edu

Lieutenant Christen Shih

Class of 2012 B.S. Management

LT Christen Shih currently serves as the Coast Guard’s Eleventh District Enforcement Branch, Eastern Pacific (EPAC) Operations Section Chief & Senior Law Enforcement Duty Officer. He is responsible for the oversight of a 10-member watch program, which directs surface and air assets carrying out law enforcement operations.

On the breadth of his education

“When studying Management at the Academy, I enjoyed the number of different classes we were able to choose from as students. We were able to spread our studies across many fields – from accounting to IT to project management – as well as take many electives. A diverse education is very beneficial in an undergraduate degree.”

On a diverse faculty

“The backgrounds of the professors were also diverse. I liked having both Coast Guard officers and civilians as instructors – each offered different perspectives not just on school but life as well. It is amazing how the dialogue I had with my teachers years ago continues to have an effect on the officer I am today.”

On managing his own growth

“One of the lessons I’ve carried from the Management program is to continually seek to evolve as an officer and as a leader. The program ingrained in me the need to continually assess my performance, to reinforce my strengths while shoring up my weaknesses.”

On leadership preparation

“The Management program does an excellent job of preparing cadets in developing their leadership early. Being a leader can be natural to some but for most it isn’t easy, and I believe the Management major allows for its cadets to really get a jump-start when it comes to leadership.”