Pitt State students to tackle complex challenges at Wicked Problems Forum 2026

A unique new interactive student trade show is designed to connect community members, business leaders, and students for a public dialogue about messy, real-world issues.

The goal?

For students to use entrepreneurship, innovation, and experiential education to come up with creative solutions to those issues.

The event, called "Wicked Problems Forum 2026," is planned for 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 in the newly opened Kelce College of Business, 206 N. Broadway, in the John and Susan Lowe Atrium - a large space in which building planners envisioned holding such events.

It is under the direction of the university's Entrepreneurship Coordinator Jane Talkington. In Spring 2026, she coordinated the university's first IDEA Fest - an event that brought together a few dozen student ventures and pop-ups in a trade show-style format that gave community members and campus personnel the chance to visit with and critique the students. That event - an overwhelming success - will be repeated in Spring 2027.

At the October event, Talkington again hopes to see community members and business leaders show up to "talk their heads off" and brainstorm directly with students.

A "wicked problem," Talkington explained, refers to a complex social, cultural, or systemic challenge with no simple formulation or definitive end point.

"Because every solution has wide-ranging consequences and can only be evaluated as 'better or worse,' rather than right or wrong, these problems require dynamic, innovative thinking," she said.

Throughout September, Talkington will lead weekly sessions with students planning to participate to help them develop their ideas and booths.

During the event, student teams will present customized displays, pitch their ideas, iterate their proposals in real time, and gather feedback from visitors.

"Entrepreneurship is about identifying problems and creating innovative solutions," said Talkington. "This trade show offers students a unique platform to move from theory to high-impact discussions by planning pitches, designing interactive tables, and engaging directly with stakeholder feedback."

And in keeping with the Halloween-themed event, Talkington confirmed, candy will be provided to all. For lunch, student organizations will sell fresh international food.

Entrepreneurship at Pitt State

The Entrepreneurship Program at Pitt State is part of the Kelce College of Business, now located in a new building in the heart of the business district in Pittsburg, Kansas. It provides best-in-class curriculum in courses that can be applied toward an Entrepreneurship Certificate (12 hours) or an Entrepreneurship Minor (18 hours). The Entrepreneurship Program collaborates with other university programs with regional impact, including the Economic Development and Community Engagement office at Block22 and the Small Business Development Center now located in the newly renovated Besse Hotel.