About the Theme

Public Affairs at Missouri State University is defined around 3 pillars: Community Engagement, Cultural Competence and Ethical Leadership

Each year a new theme guides the university's public affairs activities and a Provost Fellow of Public Affairs is chosen to help develop the theme and serve as chair of the Public Affairs Conference.

The Power of Voice

In today’s world, we are bombarded with voices from all sides. The Internet, social media, television and the 24/7 news cycle offer a constant flow of information, ideas, opinions and widely divergent points of view. What effect do the myriad voices have on individuals, groups and society at large? How do people filter out the noise to find their own voice and be heard? What is the power of voice?

Each of us must find our own voice that represents our personal values, beliefs and attitudes. This process is shaped by experience, education, culture, geography, adversity and many other factors. The evolution of one’s voice allows individuals to express themselves and to advocate for others through oral and written communication, the arts, political dialogue and in many other ways. People can use their voice to express gratitude, generosity, and inspiration, but can also convey hate, dissention, and disruption. As a community, we seek the truth that unifies us all, and we must find ways to respectfully agree and disagree.

How do we develop tolerance and unity?

To what extent is the power voice the ability to be heard? Each voice is different, and some in our society have no voice to call their own or no audience to listen. There are others who prefer not to be heard due to indifference, fear, or insecurity. How do we integrate the multitudes of individual voices to find truth? How have technology, social media, and decreasing personal interaction impacted our voices? Voices shape our perceptions of reality. How do we evaluate those perceptions to develop tolerance and unity?

Join us as we explore these questions and more at the Public Affairs Conference, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2020 and throughout the 2020-2021 academic year.

Provost Fellow for Public Affairs 2020-2021

Dr. Amanda Brodeur

Associate Professor
Biomedical Sciences Department
Professional Building, rm. 352

417-836-5478

ABrodeur@MissouriState.edu

Chair, Public Affairs Conference

Dr. Amanda Brodeur is an Associate Professor in the Biomedical Sciences Department in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services. Amanda completed her combined M.D./Ph.D. degree at the University of Missouri. She also completed residencies in Pediatrics and Medical Genetics at the University of Missouri, and she is a board-certified Medical Geneticist. Amanda’s research involves understanding the biochemistry of human disease. She works on furthering understanding of bone biochemistry in the lysosomal storage disorder Hurler Syndrome and in defining the mechanism responsible for initiating type I collagen deposition in renal fibrosis associated with chronic disease.

Amanda has a passion for Genetics and enjoys sharing her knowledge with undergraduate and graduate students at Missouri State University. She also serves as Chair of the Pre-Medical Committee, through which she plays an active role in assisting students prepare for and apply to medical school. Amanda is involved in the Springfield community serving in organizations for children and adolescents, homeless individuals, and those with special needs.