Public affairs

Raise Your Voice High

TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @merrimantinsley

Each year, Missouri State University hosts a Public Affairs theme that upholds its three pillars: ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. This year’s theme is “The Power of Voice.”

A committee of students, faculty and staff, chooses a theme each year, and it is finalized by the Pub lic Affairs Academy Directors Mary Ann Wood and Candace Fisk. Wood said while the theme will be a good one to explore during the 2020 presidential election, it is not solely based on the election.

Amanda Broduer, associate biomedical professor, is the Public Affairs Fellow for the 2020-2021 school year. While she did not pick the theme, she said she greatly appreciates it and believes it is relevant and important.

“I think it is a broad topic that applies to all of the colleges at the university,” Broduer said. “I feel that advocacy, or giving voice to others, is extremely important. I also think that it ties in with current issues and how students consume information and consider expertise.”

Broduer said communication is vast, and learning your own voice can help you communicate better in the modern day.

“Each of us must find our own voice that represents our personal values, beliefs and attitudes,” Broduer said. “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.”

Cell biology graduate student Cole Horned is also excited for the theme. Horned is the director of Public Affairs for the student body and said he was part of the committee that chose the theme.

“My previous involvement with the office has helped me realize just

how important our roles in society are, especially in the wake of the coronavirus,” Horned said. “We are living in very historical times, and I can only hope that it will bring us closer together and that we might all become more culturally competent, engaged in our communities and demonstrate ethical leadership throughout and after this is all over.”

The committee also chooses the MSU common reader to connect with the theme. The common reader is a book chosen to “provide a common academic experience and create a greater sense of community among students, faculty and staff,” according to the Public Affairs portion of MSU’s website. It is used in GEP courses as a common text freshman read.

This year the common reader is “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover.

The Public Affairs Conference will be Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2020 via Zoom conference. The conference will have one keynote speaker, three plenary speakers and 22 different panels with 27 invited

Illustration by Katelyn Betz/THE STANDARD The three pillars of public affairs at Missouri State are ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. The theme for the 2020-2021 school year is “The Power of Voice.”

guest speakers.

Broduer said the committee is also working on a pre-conference event to showcase the arts, as well as planning a board game and escape room night for students.

Broduer said the keynote speak

er has not been announced. Broduer confirmed three plenary speakers as MSU alumni Marcus Engel, professor of law at the University of Missouri School of Law Lyrissa Lidsky and American Author Sue Klebold.

abilities and per sonality.” Missouri State also offers a course, Exploring Major and Careers (IDS 120), that allows students to spend a semester looking into potential future careers and learning how to make career choices for themselves, as well as how to work with others. IDS 120 helps students to develop skills in areas like networking, developing effecIllustration by Katelyn Betz/THE STANDARD tive career docuThe Career Center on campus can help students who havments and goal en’t declared a major or for those who are having second thoughts about their major. setting, according to Todd Euglow who teaches IDS 120. Euglow also CAROLINE MUND works at the Career Center as a career reStaff Reporter source specialist. @cemund32 “I would say that nearly all students who take this course indicate in their course eval

Missouri State University’s Career Center uations that they have made significant prognot only offers one-on-one career counseling ress towards choosing a major and/or career to students, but also helps them write cover by the end of the semester,” Euglow said. letters and resumes, practice interview skills When it comes to a major, Euglow shared and look for internships and job opportunities. what he feels is important to keep in mind

The Career Center also holds events, such when choosing the right career path. as the Career Fair and Resume Madness, “Although there are many factors students which is held every year around campus should consider, a few primary ones include where students bring a printed copy of their what majors align with their unique skills/ resumes to have them reviewed. Students can strengths, what majors align best with some also go to mock interviews and etiquette dinof their career goals, are their opportunities ners to learn manners and conversation skills to learn more about this major,” Euglow said. during meals for interviews. “It’s important that students research the ma

Career Center director Kelly Rapp said jor requirements fully before making an ofthe Career Center is also a place for students ficial change so that they can have a better to come if they haven’t declared a major or idea of what to expect.” are having second thoughts about a major. The two Career Center locations are in

Rapp said the first step students should Glass Hall room 276 and Carrington Hall take is to create a Handshake account. The room 309. Career Center uses Handshake to schedule “We work hard to ensure that we meet the appointments, send messages to students, individual needs of each student who uses look for jobs and send out notifications to our services and spend a considerable amount students for upcoming events on campus. of time developing resources and opportuniStudents can access Handshake through the ties to assist students no matter where they Missouri State Career Center webpage at may be in their career development process,” careercenter.missouristate.edu. Euglow said.

The Career Center also uses assessment Services are free for MSU students and quizzes such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator alumni. Rapp said she encourages students and Kuder Journey to get more information to come to the Career Center. about careers that students potentially would “We aren’t scary, we aren’t intimidating, do well in. you don’t have to come in (wearing) a full

“(They’re) for personality inventory,” suit and have your whole career figured out, Rapp said. “(they) assess skills, interests, that’s what we are here for,” Rapp said.

Best on-campus study spots

File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD Glass Hall’s construction was completed in October 2017 and is home to the College of Business. But you don’t have to be a business major to enjoy this modern study zone.

ZOE BROWN @zoe_zoebrown

Depending on your mood, different study spots on campus may lend themselves well to your workflow. Whether you’re a social studier or prefer privacy, there is bound to be a study spot for you.

Second floor of Glass Hall

If you prefer a modern vibe while studying, the booths on the second floor of Glass Hall may be the perfect spot. Glass Hall has a large open-access computer lab for students on this floor, so you can easily print off papers or notes. It also has many spacious booths to spread out and start cramming for an exam.

Glass Hall is home to Einstein’ Bros. Bagels, so pick up a bagel and coffee and get to work!

Plaster Student Union

The close proximity to food and coffee make the PSU a great place to

study. The building is busy throughout the day, especially during the lunch rush, but in the morning and afternoon, students are sure to find a comfy booth to get plenty of work done.

The first floor of the PSU is a particularly good study spot, especially in the area around Starbucks — away from the upstairs food vendor noise. Here, students are likely to run into many familiar faces, making the spot excellent for group work. On the first floor of the PSU, students have access to computers and printing services.

If you like the convenient location but need to be free from distractions, try the third floor of the PSU. Here, you’ll find booths and chairs with less of the commotion from students coming through the PSU. These factors make the PSU a one-stop-shop for all studying needs.

Carillon in the library

The Carillon, otherwise known as the Bell Tower, is highly coveted by those who know of it. It has all you could want — privacy, silence and an incredible view. On the second floor of the library at the end of the wall of windows heading toward Strong Hall, there is a short opening and hallway. At the end of the hallway is a small room with a couch and a table. On sunny days it is filled with light and has a perfect view of the John Q. Hammons Fountain. Here, students can sip coffee as they read in seclusion or perhaps take a study break to people-watch as students pass from class to class.

First floor of Siceluff

Siceluff, one of the oldest buildings on campus, is a hidden gem for studying. Siceluff is home to the modern and classical languages department and was recently renovated in keeping with the classical style of the building. Siceluff is located on the historic quad and welcomes students with its tall stone pillars — it looks and feels quintessentially “college.”

Inside the building on the first floor are a few tables and comfy chairs perfect for doing a bit of creative writing or reading up for a literature class. The dark wood tables and maroon chairs make you want to curl up with a good book before going off to your next class. This is a typically quiet area to study with minimal distractions.

Tables by John Q. Hammons Fountain

If you need to study but love to be outside, try getting a table by John Q. Hammons Fountain — between Temple Hall and Duane G. Meyer Library. Enjoy beautiful weather at the center of campus, likely within close proximity to many of your classes. The fountain offers relief from a hot day walking around campus, so feel free to dip your toes while taking a study break. This is a great place to study with friends or enjoy the serenity of the fountain while finishing assigned class readings.