Message from the Director | | |
Public service comes in many forms.
This month marks one year since five community members stepped forward to help address one of Wichita-Sedgwick County’s most pressing challenges: homelessness. Their response wasn’t just compassionate, it was bold. They founded Second Light, an independent nonprofit built on a shelter-plus-service model to support our unhoused and at-risk of being unhoused neighbors. Second Light will bring together in one location shelter and multiple agencies to serve people experiencing homelessness. These five people volunteered to make our community better. To offer hope. To create a path forward for those in crisis. They’ve met nearly weekly for a year. They’ve listened. They’ve championed this community’s success and values. And they’ve worked each day to build trust with partners, providers, and guests.
Public service comes in many forms.
At the Public Policy and Management Center, we’ve had the privilege of supporting Second Light’s formation and working alongside its founding board. Today, that board has grown to include another dedicated community member, three elected officials, and a newly appointed executive director. Their work is in partnership with local government, nonprofits, faith community, and countless volunteers.
And, the work is just starting.
Public service comes in many forms and often it is people willing to do the hard, sometimes criticized, and often unnoticed work, with the simple intention of making our community better than they found it.
We celebrate their courage, their commitment, and their impact.
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Special thanks to the Second Light Board for being in the arena. In the photo, from left to right: PPMC team members James Roberts & Claire Goenner, Jason Gregory, Moji Rosson, Steve Dixon, Mayor Lily Wu, Council Member Maggie Ballard, Commissioner Ryan Baty, Gary Schmitt, Robyn Chadwick, and Kent Miracle.
Learn more about Second Light at secondlightwichita.org
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Last month, the Access & Engagement team had the opportunity to hear directly from stakeholders across the community who are invested in Wichita’s parks and recreation system. The conversation focused on listening to dreams, priorities, and ideas that will help shape the future of these important community spaces. This feedback plays a valuable role in guiding the Wichita Parks Foundation as it works to update its Strategic Plan and ensure that parks and recreation continue to meet the needs of Wichita residents.
We are grateful to all participants who contributed their time, energy, and ideas during this session. Your collaboration helps move this work forward in meaningful ways.
| | Applied Research & Collaboration | | |
The Applied Research and Collaboration team recently completed an ambitious six-week journey across Kansas, covering nearly 2,000 miles to gather community insights for the Wichita State University Brand Image Study. The team conducted in-person visits to Concordia, Salina, Garden City, Liberal, Pleasanton, and Dodge City, along with virtual statewide engagements with the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission and Kansas African American Affairs Commission.
The feedback gathered from these diverse Kansas communities will help Wichita State better understand its regional impact and identify opportunities to strengthen connections throughout the state, demonstrating the university's commitment to being responsive to the communities it serves beyond Wichita.
| | Talent & Organizational Success | | | | The Talent & Organizational Success team set up two webinars with the City & County Clerks association and representatives from Kansas in response to mandatory changes from the Kansas Department of Revenue regarding Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) Licensing. Over 300 City and County Clerks participated in the two webinar sessions to have questions answered by the State and be prepared for the upcoming changes. | | |
Meet our newest team member, Victoria Owens!
Victoria joined the PPMC as a student assistant. They are a senior at WSU double majoring in Political Science & Sociology with minors in Women’s Studies and Student Organizational Leadership. Victoria loves to stay involved on campus and currently serves as the President & Accessibility Coordinator of Disability, Rights, Education, Advocacy, and Mentorship (DREAM), Vice-President of Model United Nations, LAS Senator, a Political Science Research Assistant, the Sociology Outstanding Undergraduate Leader, member of Pre-Law Student Association, and member of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society.
What excites you most about joining the PPMC?
"I have had the privilege to work on initiatives through my involvement at WSU to improve the campus community and am wanting to expand my experience to the broader Wichita community. I hope to learn as much as possible and support existing projects that work to improve our communities and neighbor’s lives."
Why is public service important to you?
"I knew from a very young age that I would dedicate my life to serving others. Public service is such an important, tangible, and direct way to create a more just and equitable world. I truly believe that people, and our connections with others, will build bridges to create a better world for all of us."
| | WSU Public Policy & Management Center invites you to join us for: | | |
ICTNext is Here: Be Part of the Kickoff!
Introducing ICTNext, an organization crafted just for young professionals in public service. If you are a young public service worker in the Wichita area, this is your invitation to our kickoff event on October 8th from 6:00-8:00pm at MBC Lounge Taproom & Event Space. Join us for an evening filled with vibrant networking, engaging conversations, and a dash of fun as we connect, collaborate, and brainstorm ways to cultivate this remarkable organization together!
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Women in Public Service Awards! Register by November 3rd. | |
Join us for a night of fun, learning, and service as we celebrate our Women in Public Service Awards. We will be recognizing our 2025 Women in Public Service Awardees. Included will be our service project for the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL), where we’ll be collecting items and building pet owner support kits.
Highlights of the evening:
- Hear from Christy Fischer, Executive Director of WAAL, about their work in the community and how sometimes the pet owners need a little support too.
- A chance to give back to the community in a meaningful way.
- Food, drinks, networking, and celebration.
Let’s gather, have some fun, and support the future women in public service. We can’t wait to see you there!
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LGN Civic Leadership Unplugged
Want to explore how to address civic challenges in your community? This new LGN (Local Government Network) series of three one-hour live, online sessions are guided by the book For the Common Good: Redefining Civic Leadership by David D. Chrislip and Ed O’Malley (KLC Press). Discussions will feature Kansas case studies and the four core competencies of civic leadership.
Participating in all three sessions is encouraged but not required.
Register now for any or all sessions.
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LGN Traffic Control Webinar
Did you know the MUTCD is being updated? What does that mean for your city/county (compliance deadlines, staff training, budget impact)? Our friends at Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) will provide a heads-up about some of the changes, tell you where to find the facts, and give you guidance you can provide to staff for your road signage, pavement markings, speed studies, construction zones, and more.
Registration closes on Tuesday, October 28th at Midnight.
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