Public Education: An Investment in the Kansas Economy

The 2010 Kansas Economic Policy Conference provides an opportunity to hear Kansas policymakers, educators, and business leaders discuss the impact of P-20 public education on state economic growth and development.  Everyone is invited to add their voice to the conversation.  This event is October 21 at the Dole Institute of Politics on KU’s west campus in Lawrence or at our satellite locate in Ulysses, Kans. Visit the conference website http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/conferen/kepc10/ to register and learn more about the conference agenda, speakers, and locations. Please note that a reception will be held at the Lawrence location immediately following the conference, hosted by KU’s Provost Jeffrey Vitter.

This event is presented by the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the University of Kansas and co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost at the University of Kansas, the KU Center for Research in Entrepreneurial Activity, Pioneer Communications, and Grant County Chamber of Commerce.

Speakers and panelists include:

Keynote Address

 Higher Education as an Engine for Regional Economic Growth

Robert D. Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Washington, D.C.

 Robert Atkinson is the founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington, DC-based technology policy think tank. He is also author of the State New Economy Index series and the book, The Past And Future Of America’s Economy: Long Waves Of Innovation That Power Cycles Of Growth (Edward Elgar, 2005). He has an extensive background in technology policy, he has conducted ground-breaking research projects on technology and innovation, is a valued adviser to state and national policy makers, and a popular speaker on innovation policy nationally and internationally.

Morning Panelists: The State of Kansas Public Education

P-20: The Costs and Benefits
The State of the Public Education Budget
Duane Goossen, Secretary, Kansas Department of Administration and Director, Kansas Division of the Budget  

Talent Development through Public Education – an Economic Imperative for Kansas
Kathryn Hund, Director, Workforce Training & Education Services, Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Department of Commerce

The State of P-12 (Ulysses)
Sally Cauble, Kansas State Board of Education, State Board District 5, Liberal

The Legislative Perspective (Ulysses)
Rep. Don Hineman, Kansas House of Representative, 118th District, Dighton

Workforce Development
The State of Community and Technical Colleges
Jacqueline Vietti, President, Butler County Community College, El Dorado

The State of Workforce Development in Community and Technical Colleges (Ulysses)
Dale Reed, Associate Dean of Educational Services, Seward County Community College, Liberal

The Business Community’s Expectations for Education
Terrence (Terry) P. Dunn, President and CEO, J. E. Dunn Construction Company, Kansas City

The Legislative Perspective
Sen. Stephen Morris, Kansas Senate, District 39, Hugoton

Afternoon Panelists: The Role of the Public University in the Kansas Economy

 Bernadette Gray-Little, Chancellor, The University of Kansas

Donald Beggs, President, Wichita State University

Ruth Dyer, Senior Vice Provost, Kansas State University

Edward Hammond, President, Fort Hays State University

Michael Lane, President, Emporia State University

Steve Scott, President, Pittsburg State University

If you are not familiar with MarketPlace, you should look at the Center for Rural Affairs website and review activities and educational opportunities for small and midsize entrepreneurial businesses at the 2009 Nebraska Marketplace. This conference is directed toward small businesses, entrepreneurs, as well as economic development and community leaders. It will be a great learning and networking opportunity for your local businesses and young/developing entrepreneurs. Over 500 people attended the one-day event in North Platte this year, and it is hopeful that the same or more will attend in Kansas; if we start getting the work out!

Mark your calendars. Plan to attend and share your talents/products at the Kansas Market in November!