Engage WSU, held on Sept. 13 at Wichita State, provided an opportunity for  University, public, nonprofit and community  leaders to come together for current research and knowledge exchange in public service. 

This day of public service sharing and learning featured retired Sedgwick County undersheriff Brenda Dietzm an sharing about her experiences as a law enforcement officer and about seeking out the root causes of community issues, keynote speaker Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers discussing challenges facing the state and the importance of civility, kindness, public service and working together, and WSU Placemaking Coordinator Kristin Beal talking about the planning, design and management of public spaces.

Breakout sessions were presented by PPMC Research and Program Evaluation Manger Lisa Dodson (research on high utilizers of behavioral health services in Sedgwick County), WSU Elliott School of Communication Director Dr. Jeffrey Jarman (media coverage of community driven issues), WSU HR Director Judy Espinoza, Sedgwick County HR Director Sheena Schmutz, Fidelity Bank HR Director Jessica Kilpatric and PPMC Community Development Manager LaShonda Garnes (talent attraction, diversity, retention and advancement) and Kevin Harrison, WSU Community Engagement Coordinator (the importance of valuing, appreciating and embracing diversity).

The PPMC would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in Engage WSU. Special thanks go to WSU Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Dr. Marché Fleming-Randle for her support of the event and Holiday Inn for sponsorship of the morning's breakfast.

On Sept. 20, a Local Government Management Series seminar hosted by the PPMC featured presentations and discussion about how best to deal with blighted and abandoned property in Kansas communities. 

First to address the topic of blight was David Toland, Secretary, Kansas Department of Commerce. He talked about abandoned buildings and housing from the perspective of economic development. Following Toland were PPMC Program Manager Matt Stiles, who presented his research on blight, and a panel discussion with Julie Lyon, Mayor of Stafford and Rural Advocate; Jim Seitnater, Housing Program Manager for the City of Hutchinson; and Steve Wilkinson, Executive Director of South Central Kansas Economic Development District. 

This summer's Win the Day fitness program Navigators were recognized during an evening celebration on Sept. 11. Along with PPMC  staff, those joining in the celebration were the fabulous Navigators, who faithfully attended weekly Win the Day walking sessions and provided encouragement to the Shocker Walkers.