One of the things that makes Missouri State University stand out is our public affairs mission. Our annual Public Affairs Conference brings it to life in meaningful ways.
This year marks the 22nd conference, themed “Resilient People, Resilient Future.” Defined broadly, resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, ecosystems and institutions to recover, adapt and thrive following challenge or change. This theme prompts exploration of questions like: How can resilience be taught and strengthened? What systems support it? How is resilience achieved in the face of adversity?
These questions and more will be discussed over the three-day conference from Sept. 16-18. It features a mix of in-person speakers on campus and live virtual panels via Zoom.
Attend the keynote
Kicking off the conference at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 is keynote speaker David Feherty, a former professional golfer turned acclaimed broadcaster and bestselling author. Also a humorist known for his sharp wit and unfiltered honesty, he has openly shared his personal journey through addiction and depression, using humor as a powerful tool for healing and resilience.
Join me in Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts for his presentation, which promises to inspire, entertain and uplift. It’s free and no ticket is needed.
Sessions on a variety of topics
In-person plenary speakers
- Christina Meredith, Miss California, advocate and U.S. Army officer – she’ll share her journey out of the ashes to a life of hope (12:15 p.m. Sept. 17 in the PSU Theater)
- Ben O’Keefe, storyteller and social entrepreneur – he’ll talk about the power of everyday people (7 p.m. Sept. 17 in the PSU Theater)
- Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR science correspondent – she’ll address how science connects people and culture (12:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the PSU Theater)
- Courtney Clark, resilience researcher and author – she’ll cover what realistic resilience looks like (7 p.m. Sept. 18 in the PSU Theater)
Virtual panels
The conference also offers up to 20 virtual panel sessions. They cover a range of engaging topics, such as the intricate tapestry of emotions and humanity, cybersecurity as a pillar of community resilience, self-censorship in a polarized nation, navigating gender disparities and challenges and stories of strength.
Join in the conversations
Whether you join virtually or attend in person, engage with the sessions that speak to your interests. You’ll gain valuable insights and inspiration from the speakers with diverse backgrounds and walk away with practical strategies to build resilience in your work, classrooms and communities.
All sessions are free and open to the public. They’re also listed in My Learning Connection, but no registration is required. Visit the conference website for more details.
As in previous years, employees may use up to two hours of work time, with supervisor approval, to attend the conference. I encourage everyone to participate and supervisors to support attendance. Let’s take the opportunity to learn from one another, ignite action and celebrate what it means to live our public affairs mission.
I want to thank the conference committee led by Dr. Tina Liang, public affairs fellow and Public Affairs Conference chair, and Mary Ann Wood and Stacey Trewatha-Bach from the office of public affair support. Their thoughtful planning and hard work make this signature university event possible.
Come out to party this evening
I hope to see lots of you and your families this evening at one of the biggest parties of the year – Party in the CUSA! Join in from 6-9 p.m. at BearFest Village to celebrate the Bears’ move to Conference USA. There will be free Mo State T-shirts for employees and family members (sizes youth small to 4XL available). Make sure to get one.
Thanks for checking in. It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff