Kate Steele feels comfortable talking to anyone about healthcare in Kansas after attending Engage ICT, a program instigated by KMUW, Wichita State’s public radio station.  

“It was not like a class at all,” said Steele, a senior studying integrative marketing communications. “A lot of information was important for students.”

In its first year, Engage ICT is designed to inform and inspire the community by hosting casual information sessions in which community leaders educate audiences about topics that affect them.

The series’ first event was about healthcare and attracted a standing room-only audience at Reverie Coffee Roasters in Wichita.

The second conversation is about education and takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Monarch, 579 W. Douglas. Free appetizers are provided.

Audience members will have a chance to hear from and ask questions of the panelists: John Allison, superintendent of USD 259; Jim Freeman, chief financial officer of USD 259; Dave Kirkbride, executive director of South Central Kansas National Education Association; and Sheelu Surender, WSU director of Financial Aid.

“I think it is a going to be really beneficial for people,” Steele said. “People are talking in person about things, and you have an opportunity to ask questions face to face from the source.”

Sarah Jane Crespo, KMUW’s engagement marketing director, said people can also register to vote during the event.

“There are quite a few people in the Wichita area who are not registered to vote who could be,” Crespo said.

KMUW decided to start the series during an election year, hoping to encourage people to take action and get involved.

Surender volunteered as a panelist because of her support for public radio and her passion for education.

“Knowledge is power, and it is important for [students] to understand the key issues which will impact our future,” Surender said.

KMUW plans on making the series an annual event.

“We hope that people come because this is going to be a fun event that will broaden people’s horizons and inform them of issues they might not be aware of,” Crespo said.

Engage ICT is made possible by a grant from the Knight Foundation at the Wichita Community Foundation and is in partnership with The Wichita Public Library, Digital Brand and Open Wichita.

If you go:

‘Engage ICT’ Education talk

When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: The Monarch, 579 W. Douglas Ave.

Free appetizers are provided.