Public Affairs Conference - What Events Should I Attend? - Public Affairs Blog - Missouri State University

Public Affairs Blog

Robert Ballard speaks to students prior to his keynote address on Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Robert Ballard speaks to students prior to his keynote address on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

Public Affairs Conference – What Events Should I Attend?

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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 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:

For students interested in homelessness and poverty

Monday, Sept. 24

  • Pre-Conference Event: Unity in Community Film Festival
    • “Every Child”
      • 12:30-1:15 p.m.
      • PSU Theater
    • “The Road I Call Home”
      • 5:30-6:30 p.m.
      • PSU Theater
    • “@Home”
      • 7-9 p.m.
      • PSU Theater

Tuesday, Sept. 25

  • Pre-Conference Event: Forgotten Children of Eden
    • 1:30-3:00 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West

Wednesday, Sept. 26

  • Poverty is not a state of mind with Diane Conners, Jim Harriger, Tesfaye Mersha, and Christian Mechlin 
    • 9:00-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • Changing the world with just $45, a camera and a smartphone with Mark Horvath
    • Noon-1 p.m.
    • PSU Theater

For students interested in diversity, beliefs and cultural competence

Tuesday, Sept. 25

  • Making a difference: How the power of compassion changes lives with Jenna Bush Hager
    • 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    • Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Wednesday, Sept. 26

  • The role of science and philosophy in an existential vacuum with Massimo Pigliucci, Marcia Schulmeister, Master YongHua, and Michael Streissguth
    • 9-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU 313
  • Stoicism and the idea of cosmopolitanism with Massimo Pigliucci
    • Noon-1 p.m.
    • PSU Theater
  • All the colors of the rainbow: An untattered flag of freedom in former fringe communities with Joan Della Valle, Mary Hilsabeck-Huber, Marcia Schulmeister, and Eugene Walls
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West
  • Mythology in modern America: Stereotypes and minority groups with Carl “Beau” Davis, Hugo Montejo, Alicia Smith, and Jean Trounstine
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • The fact of pluralism: How much unity, how much diversity? with Mark Smith, Rob Spirko, Virgina Tallent, and Eugene Walls
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • In the age of tribalism, is there a common, unifying curriculum? with Joan Della Valle, Lauren Dow, Terry Flowers and Christian Mechlin
    • 10:30-11:45 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • What is the good life? with Wolde Kristos, Master YongHua, Lauren Dow and Jean Trounstine
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West
  • Where I’m from and where we’re going with Tesfaye Mersha, Hugo Montejo, Robin Troxell and AJ Exner
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • Faith-based communities: Unifying or divisive? with Cheryl Clay, Terry Flowers, Mark Smith and Master YongHua
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East

For students interested in community health and engagement

Monday, Sept. 24

  • Pre-Conference Event: Unity in Community Film Festival
    • “Joonypher”
      • 1:30-2:15 p.m.
      • PSU Theater
    •  “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison”
      • 2:30-4:30 p.m.
      • PSU Theater

Wednesday, Sept. 26

  • Addressing food insecurity: It takes a village and a farm with Diane Conners, Jim Harriger, Wolde Kristos, and Larry Peterson
    • 10:30-11:45 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • Steps toward building and maintaining healthy communities with Lauren Dow, Tesfaye Mersha, Mark Williams, and Gearl Loden
    • 10:30-11:45 a.m.
    • PSU 313
  • Volunteerism and civic engagement in a hectic and skeptic world with Jim Harriger, Larry Peterson, Mike Stout, and Kimberly Wagner
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU 313
  • Business meets green with Carl “Beau” Davis, Mark Williams, Jessica Pearson, and Randall Becker
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU 313
  • It takes a school to raise a village: Using schools to elevate communities with Terry Flowers, Mary Hilsabeck-Huber, Hugo Montejo, and Bridget Dierks
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU Theater

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • Gather ‘round the table: Food, shared conversation and community with Joan Della Valle, Mary Hilsabeck-Huber, Terri Johnson and Eugene Walls
    • 9-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • Healthy homes, healthy communities with Diane Conners, Christian Mechlin, Larry Peterson and Virgina Tallent
    • 9-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU Theater
  • Universities as community anchors with Marcia Schulmeister, Mark Smith, Mike Stout and Kimberly Wagner
    • 9-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU 313
  • Neighborhoods rule! Grassroots social activism is community at its best with Cherly Clay, Virgina Tallent, Mark Williams and Carl “Beau” Davis 
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU 313

For students interested in communication and personal growth

Tuesday, Sept. 25

  • Making a difference: How the power of compassion changes lives with Jenna Bush Hager
    • 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    • Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Wednesday, Sept. 26

  • All the colors of the rainbow: An untattered flag of freedom in former fringe communities with Joan Della Valle, Mary Hilsabeck-Huber, Marcia Schulmeister, and Eugene Walls
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West
  • Mythology in modern America: Stereotypes and minority groups with Carl “Beau” Davis, Hugo Montejo, Alicia Smith, and Jean Trounstine
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • The fact of pluralism: How much unity, how much diversity? with Mark Smith, Rob Spirko, Virgina Tallent, and Eugene Walls
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • Ten ways to have better conversations with Celeste Headlee
    • 7:30-8:30 p.m.
    • PSU Theater

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • Gather ‘round the table: Food, shared conversation and community with Joan Della Valle, Mary Hilsabeck-Huber, Terri Johnson and Eugene Walls
    • 9-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • What is the good life? with Wolde Kristos, Master YongHua, Lauren Dow and Jean Trounstine
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West

For students interested in arts and media.

Monday, Sept. 24

  • Pre-Conference Event: Unity in Community Film Festival
    • 12:30-9 p.m.
    • PSU Theater

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • The arts as the heart of Utopia with Rob Spirko, Mike Stout, Michael Streissguth and Kimberly Wagner
    • 10:30-11:45 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West
  • Changing the world with just $45, a camera and a smartphone with Mark Horvath
    • Noon-1 p.m.
    • PSU Theater
  • Building community through storytelling with Wolde Kristos, Michael Streissguth, Rob Spirko and Alicia Smith
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU 313

For students interested in environmental sustainability

Wednesday, Sept. 26

  • Addressing food insecurity: It takes a village and a farm with Diane Conners, Jim Harriger, Wolde Kristos, and Larry Peterson
    • 10:30-11:45 a.m.
    • PSU Ballroom East
  • Business meets green with Carl “Beau” Davis, Mark Williams, Jessica Pearson, and Randall Becker
    • 3-4:15 p.m.
    • PSU 313

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • Using adaptation to bridge the climate divide with Victoria Herrmann
    • 7:30-8:30 p.m.
    • PSU Theater

For students interested in government and law

Monday, Sept. 24

  • Pre-Conference Event: Unity in Community Film Festival
    • “Joonypher”
      • 1:30-2:15 p.m.
      • PSU Theater
    •  “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison”
      • 2:30-4:30 p.m.
      • PSU Theater

Wednesday, Sept. 26

  • Prison pipeline: Minorities and the law with Cheryl Clay, Alicia Smith, Jean Trounstine, and Don Parrett
    • 9-10:15 a.m.
    • PSU Theater

Thursday, Sept. 27

  • What is the good life? with Wolde Kristos, Master YongHua, Lauren Dow and Jean Trounstine
    • 1:30-2:45 p.m.
    • PSU Ballroom West