Wichita State University has a long history of research and community work in public service. Three departments have carried forward this dedication to excellence in public service at Wichita State University: the Hugo Wall School, the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and the Public Policy and Management Center. Presentations of their current work along with knowledge exchange from invited guests will be presented at Engage WSU, a day of public service sharing, from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. today (Thursday, Sept. 13) at WSU's Marcus Welcome Center.

The keynote speaker for Engage WSU will be Wichita State Provost Richard Muma. Muma will discuss higher education in today's changing world and Wichita State University's place in that change. Former Johnson County manager, Hannes Zacharias, will share parting words after his recent retirement and solo kayak trip down the Arkansas River.

Each hosting department will present current research and initiatives, which will include a showcase from the Environmental Finance Center of Hugo Wall School, an explanation of community engagement strategies from the Public Policy and Management Center's Project Wichita work, a panel discussion on cost avoidance studies in health care and lessons on organizational diversity from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. 

Finally, Engage WSU will feature a presentation from the U.S. Census Bureau's Denver Region partnership specialist Alan Organ, on what cities can do to prepare for the 2020 census and how changes to the census will affect local governments and nonprofits. 

The event is by registration, but sessions will be open to the media. For more information about Engage WSU, visit wichita.edu/engagewsu. 

The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) at Wichita State University advances public good by strengthening people, organizations and communities. The PPMC provides expertise and support to local governments and nonprofits in the areas of research, talent development and community engagement. 

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The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.