Missouri State University is gearing up for its 21st Public Affairs Conference, set to take place Sept. 24-26.  

This year’s theme is “Between the One and the Many: Considering Community and Individualism.” 

Schedule highlights 

The conference includes a mix of in-person and live-streamed sessions: 

• A keynote speech from actress and advocate Brooke Shields 

• Four plenary speakers 

• Eighteen virtual panel sessions covering a variety of topics 

Among the 18 panel sessions are two focused on health. One is about the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care and the other is on the importance of mental health.  

Dr. Yating Liang, a former kinesiology professor, contributed to organizing these sessions. She represented the McQueary College of Health and Human Services on the Public Affairs Conference advisory committee, but recently moved to the Darr College of Agriculture. 

“The Public Affairs Conference is a cornerstone of our university,” Liang said. “It reflects our commitment to engaging with topics that resonate with both the academic community and the public.”  

More about the sessions 

“Harnessing the Power of AI in Healthcare” will take place from 1:25-2:15 p.m. Sept. 25 via Zoom. This session will discuss how AI can enhance patient outcomes and revolutionize health care delivery.  

The session will highlight successful examples of AI applications that have improved patient and community health. It will also cover ethical considerations, such as ensuring fair access and protecting patient privacy. 

“AI technology has emerged as a game-changer in health care,” said Liang. “It offers opportunities to personalize health care interventions and tackle population health challenges.  This session will bring together experts from academia and the field to show AI’s impact and future health care prospects.”  

The second session, “Nurturing Community Support for Individual Resilience,” will be from 11-11:50 a.m. Sept. 26 via Zoom. It will explore the complex and multifaceted relationship of the group and the self in mental health.  

This session is timely and important due to mental health challenges that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Mental health is a critical issue that affects everyone, not just those within our university,” Liang said. “By bringing together experts who can share their knowledge and experiences, we hope to offer valuable perspectives that can benefit individuals and communities alike.” 

Attend the conference  

The Public Affairs Conference is free and open to the public.  

“The conference is structured to accommodate our university community while also being open to a wider audience,” Liang said. “We want to ensure our sessions attract and benefit as many people as possible.”  

Mark your calendars for Sept. 24-26 and join in the conversation on how to balance individualism with shared commitments.  

Learn more about the Public Affairs Conference