State of State’s annual fall conference will be held in person for the first time in almost two years this week.

This year’s conference is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, in the HUB Flex Theater.

The presentation, titled “State of Return: Back to Campus,” will feature one student and two faculty speakers to highlight issues that have continued to affect students after returning to campus. Because Penn State students have transitioned back to in-person classes and living in State College once again, State of State plans to acknowledge and discuss the problems associated with campus life.

Penn State student TJ Echeverria, the vice president for communication for Penn State’s Interfraternity Council, will present a lecture highlighting the “advantages of and stigma surrounding Greek Life at Penn State.” Yvette Wilson, interim director of Penn State’s Gender Equity Center, will speak to the audience regarding rape culture at Penn State. Finally, marketing strategies specialist Susan Lechtanski will promote the “value of a student-trained service dog program for the community.”

State of State’s goal is to further improve “dialogue within the university community about important Penn State-related issues with the purpose of creating actionable change.” The group is composed of students, faculty, alumni, and community members aiming to collectively problem-solve community concerns.

Admission to the event is free, but registration is required. For those interested who cannot attend in person on Wednesday, the conference will be livestreamed on State of State’s Facebook page. More information on the event can be found on the group’s Instagram page.