Public Affairs Week
Special Event: Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026
Voter Fair
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Plaster Student Union 2nd Floor Atrium
Join Paws to the Polls for this fun and informative voter educational event. Chat with elected officials, try out actual voting machines and/or get registered to vote. Free pizza!
Presentation: Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026
Beyond Fake News: Developing Critical Minds in an Information-Saturated Society
4:00 - 5:00 PM | Meyer LIbrary, room 101
In an era shaped by memes, headlines, data visualizations, and digital media, understanding how we process and evaluate information is essential to active citizenship and meaningful civic engagement. This presentation explores how information is disseminated, shared, and consumed across formats including print, digital content, images, and the spoken word. Participants will examine the role of critical thinking and metacognition in assessing credibility, recognizing bias, and navigating misinformation and disinformation.
Grounded in the mission, vision, and values of Missouri State University, this session highlights information literacy as a cornerstone of public affairs and global citizenship. By strengthening our ability to interpret information judiciously, we empower ourselves to engage more thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively in society.
Presented by: Tracy Stout and Jessica Bennett, MSU Professors, Library Science
Keynote Presentation: Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026
Cultivating Resilience: Tae Kwon-Do Principles for Strength, Spirit, and Success
7:00 - 8:00 PM | Plaster Student Union (PSU) Theater
Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen Dang is a World Champion, 7th Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon-Do Master
(35
years of continuous training) and Director of Education at Grand Master Duc Dang School
of
Martial Arts and Education in California. This is one of the largest and most respected
schools of martial arts in the country for its commitment to the philosophical underpinnings
of Tae Kwon-Do not only
as a sports practice, but a lifestyle. As a recent recognition of achievements and
contributions,
Dr. Kim received the 2025 Woman of the Year Award of the 70th Assembly District, California.
Join us for an inspiring evening of speaking and performance! Members of Dr. Dang's family and current students will also be in attendance.
Special Event: Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026
Hunger Banquet
7:00 - 8:00 PM in Plaster Student Union (PSU) Theater
Join fellow students for this popular annual MSU event! Each participant will be part of an experience that will give them both local and global perspectives to the deep injustices of our world’s food system. Attendees will deepen their perspectives and acquire actionable ideas on how they can be a part of the solution!
Based on the latest world statistics of number of people living in poverty, all guests are randomly assigned various identities, circumstances and income levels. Guests around the table will experience a proportional meal based on their assigned identity. Discussions will debrief the feelings and interactions of the banquet program.
