2025 Events
Spring Luncheon Event Details:
Topic: State of the Girl
Join us to discuss the impact of Girls on the Run nationally as well as in South Central Kansas. She will share relevant data from sources who have conducted research to understand girls鈥� experiences from elementary through high school in extracurricular program. Learn and discuss some of those challenges girls face and how this program is meeting the needs of today鈥檚 girls.
Speaker: Christy Thomas, MSW | Founder and Executive Director Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas
Christy Thomas founded the Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas council in 2011. Under her tenure, the organization has served more than 11,000 youth in South Central Kansas. Her prior nonprofit experience includes working with numerous organizations including, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, HospiceCare of Kansas, United Methodist Youthville and the Wichita Children鈥檚 Home. She volunteers for BSA on the Recruitment Committee and with the United Way鈥檚 Read to Succeed program. Christy enjoys running, yoga and family time with her 5 children and 7 grandchildren.
Date: February 13, 2025
Time: Check in: 11:45 AM | Program: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Location: PEC - Suite 310 Building -
Register by Feb 10th at NOON
Thank you to our luncheon sponsor!
April Luncheon Event Details:
Topic: The Neighboring Movement
The Neighboring Movement nurtures authentic, gifts-focused connections to foster neighbor-centered leadership. We work for justice for all neighbors across the intersections of age, race, ethnicity, family configuration, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, difference of ability, neurodiversity, religious tradition, body shape and size, economic circumstances, housing status, and more. The expression of our work will be a liberating and justice-seeking effort of joy, relationship, and abundance for all people. The Neighboring Movement was originally founded within the Christian tradition and now works with those of religious, non-religious, and nominally religious backgrounds.
Speaker: Mike Hoheisel | Council Member - District III
Mike Hoheisel was elected to serve as District III's council member in November 2021, and was officially sworn in on January 10, 2022. A resident of Wichita for more than 30 years, Hoheisel has been an active leader in neighborhood and regional civic activities and has been employed in the construction industry for more than 20 years. Before his election to the Wichita City Council, Mike has been active in a variety of social causes including criminal justice reform and voting rights reform.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Christina Coldiron, he has 11 siblings, most of whom continue to live in the Wichita area. Mike and Christina have two children, Audy and Henry. Mike graduated from West High in Wichita and attended both Wichita State and Fort Hays State Universities where he studied literature and political science.
An active volunteer in the community, Mike enjoys coaching youth sports including baseball, wrestling and football.
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: Check in: 11:45 AM | Program: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Location: PEC
Become a sponsor of WPS! We are actively looking for June Luncheon and Conference Sponsors. Please consider supporting Women in Public Service in your community.
Contact Laura laura.baxter@wichita.edu or Jamie jamie.buster@wichita.edu with your choice.
Summer Luncheon Event Details:
Topic: TBD
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Date: August 2025
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
closed
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Awards
At our Annual Celebration, we will recognize and honor two public service professionals鈥攐ne as a Torch Bearer nominee and the other as a Spark nominee.
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Torch Bearer | Torch Bearer is a career public servant who has created a legacy of excellence in public service and is now ready to pass the torch. |
| Spark | Spark nominee is an emerging leader whose passion for public service sparks improvement in their community and inspires their colleagues. |
Membership Options
| WPS Membership | New Professional |
|---|---|
| Year-Long Membership (3 Lunchtime Events + 1 Evening Event) | Year-Long Membership |
| Informative Articles (3 per Year) | Available for Students and Those New in their Career (3 Years or Newer) |
| An Invitation to an Organized Service Opportunity | Same Perks as Regular Membership |
| Personalized career mentoring upon request (2 Sessions) | |
| Cost: $120 | Cost: $75 |
No refunds will be issued for cancellation of membership. However, memberships can be transferred to other colleagues.
"WPS was a huge motivator that got me interested in getting a master's in public administration and working for local government. Changing jobs was scary, but I鈥檓 so happy that I did! I am now the Economic Development Director for the City of Haysville. I am very grateful to WPS."
- Danielle Gabor