Public Affairs Overview
An Emerging Mission
 On June 15, 1995, Missouri Governor Mel
Carnahan signed into law Senate Bill 340 which
gave Missouri State University a statewide mission
in Public Affairs. This mission defines a primary
way in which a Missouri State education is
different from that of other universities and one
way by which we educate our students to imagine
the future.
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Public Affairs
Initiation of Public Affairs
 Dr. John H. Keiser, President Emeritus of Missouri
State University, was a leading advocate for the
involvement of public affairs on campus. He was
acting President from 1993-2005.
 On April 13, 2005, the Citizen Scholar statue, a
representation of the public affairs mission, was
dedicated in Dr. Keiser’s honor.
 Today, Dr. Keiser holds the title of Public Affairs
Conference Chair Emeritus.
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Public Affairs
The Three Components
 The Missouri State University Public
Affairs Mission is comprised of the
following three components.
 Ethical Leadership
 Cultural Competence
 Community Engagement
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Public Affairs
Ethical Leadership
 Students will articulate their value systems,
act ethically within the context of a
democratic society, and demonstrate
engaged and principled leadership.
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Public Affairs
Cultural Competence
 Students will recognize and respect multiple
perspectives and cultures.
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Public Affairs
Community Engagement
 Students will recognize the importance of
contributing their knowledge and experiences to
their own community and the broader society.
 Students will recognize the importance of
scientific principles in the generation of sound
public policy.
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Public Affairs
Student Exposure from
Beginning to End
SOAR
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Public
Affairs Week
Convocation
Series
Public
Affairs
Conference
Public Affairs
Public Affairs in Action
 Student Orientation and Registration
(SOAR)
 An introduction to college and campus life and
the public affairs mission for new students.
 Public Affairs Week (PAW)
 Community Blood Drives
 Service Fairs
 Engaging Speakers
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Public Affairs
Public Affairs in Action
 Convocation Series
 One presentation in the fall and spring by professionals
invited to speak on the current Public Affairs theme.
 Public Affairs Conference
 April 14 -16, 2010
 Evolving Economic Realities
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Keynote Speakers
Panel Discussions
Special Events
Free and Open to the Public
Public Affairs
Provost Fellow for Public Affairs
 Dr. Mahua Barari Mitra serves as the 20092010 Provost Fellow for Public Affairs.
 Professor of Economics
 Provost Fellow for International Education and
Partnerships from 2007-2008
 Dr. Barari Mitra will be chairing the 2010 Sixth
Annual Public Affairs Conference on Evolving
Economic Realities.
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Public Affairs
Public Affairs Professorship
 A Public Affairs Professorship is a position
established at Missouri State University to
recognize faculty who have excelled at
enabling the University to carry out its
Public Affairs mission.
 Professor’s are awarded a $5,000 stipend.
 In addition, they are given $1,000 for expenses to
carry out the work of the position.
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Public Affairs
Appointed Public Affairs Professors
 There are currently two individuals appointed
to the Public Affairs Professorship position.
Appointments are made annually and each
professor serves a three year term in the
position.
 Dr. Sandra Byrd, 2008-2011
 School of Accountancy
 Dr. Ken Rutherford, 2009-2012
 Department of Political Science
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Public Affairs
Public Affairs Grants
 The Public Affairs Grant Program provides financial
support to faculty, staff, and student organizations and
groups to sponsor events for the campus community
that are consistent with Missouri State University's
public affairs mission.
 The grants are measured on two levels.
 Level 1 – Grants up to $1,000 for events of interest to a
smaller segment of the campus community.
 Level 2 – Grants from $1,001 - $4,000 for events of
interest campus wide.
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Public Affairs
Community Service Awards
 The Excellence in Community Service Awards are
presented annually in recognition of excellence in
volunteer work with charitable, nonprofit, church or
similar organizations in the community. The
Missouri State University Foundation funds up to
four $1,200 cash awards, two designated for staff and
two designated for faculty. All full time faculty and
staff with at least three years of service at the
university are eligible for the award.
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Public Affairs
American Democracy Project
 The American Democracy Project (ADP) is a multicampus initiative focused on higher education’s role
in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged
citizens for our democracy. The project began in 2003
as an initiative of the American Association of State
Colleges and Universities (AASCU), in partnership
with The New York Times.
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Public Affairs
E-Citizenship Research
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Missouri State University is one of thirty-four institutions
working on a three year initiative developed by the
American Democracy Project to study how social networks
support and facilitate civic and political engagement.
AASCU and the Center for the Study of Citizenship at
Wayne State University have partnered to lead the
initiative.
The main goal is to provide insights into and strategies for
engaging undergraduates in the use of social networks and
technology tools for civic purposes.
Public Affairs