Holiday 2025

Message from the Director

Friends,

Thank you all for your commitment to public service and your passion to make your communities better this year. You are the reason public service, good governance, and the future of democracy is in good hands.

We are honored to support you in this important work, and we look forward to our continued parterships in 2026.

Warmest regards,

Misty Bruckner

Director

Access & Engagement

In December, our team had the opportunity to share an overview of Wichita Collective Impact at Sedgwick County’s CHIP Development Meeting, held at the Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum. We were grateful for the chance to connect with partners across the county and highlight the power of working together toward shared goals.

During the presentation, Brad, our Community Program Coordinator, introduced WCI’s approach to collaboration. These conversations help reinforce how collective work can move our community forward, and we appreciated the thoughtful engagement from everyone in the room. We remain committed to supporting a coordinated, data-informed approach that benefits children, families, and the broader community. 

Applied Research & Collaboration

This month, Dr. Nigel Soria graduated from Leadership Wichita, a signature program of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce that equips local leaders with the insight, connections, and skills to strengthen our community.



We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Soria for representing the PPMC throughout the program and for his continued commitment to data-driven service, collaboration, and community impact.



Congratulations, Dr. Soria!

Talent & Organizational Success

The Talent and Organizational Success Team just completed an incredible fall conference season—seven conferences in just eight weeks! During this whirlwind, we welcomed thousands of participants and delivered hundreds of hours of high-quality professional development led by some of the most respected experts in their fields. These events provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with the associations we serve, as well as support impactful initiatives for the Department of Commerce.

Operations

Meet our newest team member,

Adan Monarrez!

Adan has joined us as an Administrative Assistant on the Operations Team. In this role, Adan will be helping support the day to day operations of the PPMC! Outside of work, Adan loves playing the guitar and watching documentaries.

What excites you the most about joining the PPMC?

"The great work we do for the community! Public Service has always been a huge value in my life."

Why is public service important to you?

"Because my mom was a teacher in Mexico, and she always believed in helping people who aren’t able to get the help they need. I hope to continue this legacy in my work at the PPMC."

Join Us

WSU Public Policy & Management Center invites you to join the following groups or organizations:

Are you looking for Professional Development for yourself or your team in 2026?

Set yourself up for success with the Professional Development: Supervisor Training Series, a practical, high-impact learning experience built for entry to mid-level leaders in any industry.

Even if you aren’t currently a supervisor...YES, this is for you, too!

Developed by the Public Policy & Management Center, the Community Engagement Institute, and the Kansas Small Business Development Center, this series delivers relevant, hands-on training that strengthens leadership skills your organization can benefit from immediately.

Classes are offered bi-weekly throughout the entire year of 2026, providing a consistent, flexible schedule that makes it easy for busy professionals to pick which classes fit them best. We offer 12 class topics, two times a year. If you cannot make one, there is a chance that you can make the other one!

Local Government Network 2026

The Local Government Network (LGN) is designed to strengthen leadership and collaboration among city and county governments across Kansas. Through monthly learning and networking opportunities, LGN connects public servants who are passionate about effective, ethical, and community-driven local governance.

When your city or county joins LGN for 2026, all employees and elected officials can take part in a full year of engaging programs. Members gain access to workshops, webinars, and in-person events that foster connection, share best practices, and build capacity for stronger local government.

In 2024, 25 cities and 4 counties across central Kansas benefited from LGN membership. Will your organization join them in 2026? Learn more or check your membership status using the links below.

ICTNext is Here: Join the Mailing List!

Introducing ICTNext, a new 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 join our mailing list and recieve notifications for all future group updates and events featuring vibrant networking, engaging conversations, and collaboration!

Resources

Access & Engagement

Core Services:

Strategic Planning

Community Initiatives

Strategic Engagement

Applied Research & Collaboration

Core Services:

Survey Research

Program Evaluation

Organizational Assessment

Policy Research

Talent & Organizational Success

Core Services:

Professional Development

Association Support

Conference Administration

Executive Coaching