The Public Affairs Conference allows Missouri State to invite individuals in the top of their fields to share their insights and expertise with MSU staff and students. This event is completely free and open to the public, meaning that students can attend events as their schedule allows. But why should students attend these events? What’s the benefit for students? Why should you care?
- First-hand knowledge from experts in their fields
- Networking opportunities with speakers and other students
- Fresh outlook on specific careers and our world
- Better understanding of MSU’s Public Affairs Mission
- A diversity of new perspectives and ideas
The full schedule for the Public Affairs Conference 2018 offers an in-depth look at all of the speakers and events. In addition to the suggested student sessions below, be sure to check our the Sustainability Student Summit on Monday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., the Sustainability Showcase on Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., and the Distinction in Public Affairs Poster Session on Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
In order for students to have the most engaging and enjoyable experience, “tracks” have been organized by particular interests. Explore the full schedule or the described tracks below and get the most out of the 2018 Public Affairs Conference.
For students interested in:
- Diversity and cultural competence
- The natural world and agriculture
- Health
- Community engagement
- Art and media
- Government and law
- Education
For students interested in diversity and cultural competence
Monday, April 9
- Living Ozarks: Celebrating Our Ecology and Culture in Words at Music
- 7-9 p.m.
- PSU Theater
Tuesday, April 10
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- Leadership, assimilation and growing inclusive businesses with Elise Golan, Kimberly Ho, Keith Pinchback, and Godfrey Simmons, Jr.
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- PSU 313
- Together we rise: Providing sustainable community development to address poverty with Sara Brown, Elise Golan, Greg Burris, and Curtis Mather
- 3 p.m.- 4:15 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
Thursday, April 12
- Urban revitalization: Creating sustainable change with Majora Carter
- 12-1 p.m.
- PSU Theater
- Sustaining cultural traditions: How the past can illuminate the future with Sara Brown, Lilias Jarding, Hellen Rwangyezi, and Nels Paulson
- 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom West
For students interested in agriculture and the natural world
Tuesday, April 10
- Save the Monarchs: Milkweed planting and celebration
- 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- 521 N. Jefferson
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- National treasures and natural resources with Hannah Messerli, James Owen, Nels Paulson, and Michelle Rutty
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- PSU Ballroom West
- Sustainability in the extended global supply chain with Ron Ireland
- 12-1 p.m.
- PSU Theater
Thursday, April 12
- Water for all: Fresh isn’t free with Nick Brown, Scott VanderWal, Hannah Messerli, and John Bongiorno
- 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
- Until There’s Nothing
- 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
- PSU Theater
For students interested in health
Tuesday, April 10
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- Hunger and nutrition, near and far with Elise Golan, James Owen, Hellen Rwangyezi, and Scott VanderWal
- 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
- PSU 313
- Global food security: The challenge and promise for higher education with Brady Deaton
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- PSU Theater
Thursday, April 12
- How do social entrepreneurs contribute to sustainability? with Sara Brown, Kimberly Ho, Dan Chiles, and Jessica Pearson
- 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
- Sustainable healthcare and insurance in the US with Vivian Carter, Lilias Jarding, Jim Bach, and Jack Hopkins
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
- PSU 313
- Health sustainability in a hostile health environment with Vivian Carter
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- PSU Theater
For students interested in community engagement
Tuesday, April 10
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- Sustaining public service with Lilias Jarding, Parvonay Stover, Paul Williams, and Daniel Morehead
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
- Together we rise: Providing sustainable community development to address poverty with Sara Brown, Elise Golan, Greg Burris, and Curtis Mather
- 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
Thursday, April 12
- Building social capital to create a sustainable future with Nels Paulson, Godfrey Simmons, Jr., and Tim McCaughan
- 10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
- PSU 313
- Urban revitalization: Creating sustainable change with Majora Carter
- 12 – 1 p.m.
- PSU Theater
- Health sustainability in a hostile health environment with Vivian Carter
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- PSU Theater
For students interested in art and media
Monday, April 9
- Living Ozarks: Celebrating Our Ecology and Culture in Words and Music
- 7-9 p.m.
- PSU Theater
Tuesday, April 10
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- Artistic expression and the quest for a sustainable future with Kimberly Ho, Hellen Rwangyezi, Godfrey Simmons, Jr., and Nick Nelson
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
- PSU 313
- Armchair experts: The role of social media in authentic public information with Leland Glenna, Tim McCaughan, and Eric Sheffield
- 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- PSU 313
Thursday, April 12
- Mental health across generations with Daniel Morehead, Parvonay Stover, Barbara Nash, and Jack Hopkins
- 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- PSU 313
- Until There’s Nothing
- 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
- PSU Theater
For students interested in government and law
Tuesday, April 10
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- National treasures and natural resources with Hannah Messerli, James Owen, Nels Paulson, and Michelle Rutty
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- PSU 313
- Managing global climate change through mitigation and adaptation
- 1:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom West
Thursday, April 12
- Building social capital to create a sustainable future with Nels Paulson, Godfrey Simmons, Jr., and Tim McCaughan
- 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- PSU 313
- The role of science, facts and research in creating a sustainable future with Leland Glenna, Tim McCaughan, James Owen, and Scott VanderWal
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
- Health sustainability in a hostile health environment with Vivian Carter
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- PSU Theater
For students interested in education
Tuesday, April 10
- The personal account of how the Titanic was found and a look into the future with Dr. Robert Ballard
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- JKH Hall for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 11
- Technology and the future of the classroom with Eric Sheffield, Georjene Tilton, and Denise Fredrick
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
- PSU Ballroom East
- Global food security: The challenge and promise for higher education with Brady Deaton
- 7:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
- PSY Theater
Thursday, April 12
- Is traditional higher education sustainable? with Keith Pinchback, Michelle Rutty, Brady Deaton, and Nick Brown
- 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
- PSU 313
- Mental health across generations with Daniel Morehead, Parvonay Stover, Barbara Nash, and Jack Hopkins
- 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- PSU 313
- All things to all people: The expanding role of public education with Keith Pinchback, Eric Sheffield, Parvonay Stover, John Jungmann
- 10:30 am – 11:45 am
- PSU Ballroom East