OU-Tulsa Researcher Trains State Agency Leaders to Nurture Hope
State agency leaders recently learned how hope is a key factor in improving the well-being of Oklahomans, thanks to an OU researcher specializing in hope science.
Dr. Chan Hellman, founding director of the Hope Research Center at OU-Tulsa, delivered the keynote address and led agency leaders in training sessions during the 2021 Leading with Hope Summit in Oklahoma City.
During the summit, which was hosted by Gov. Kevin Stitt, state agency leaders had the opportunity to delve into Hellman’s research on the science of hope and explore how Oklahoma can become a “hope-centered state.”
“[All the training] is evidence-based so that there is this deep, robust body of science around this concept of hope,” Hellman said. “The strategies we are teaching will help these state agencies to nurture hope in the workforce so that we can transition that onto citizens of the state of Oklahoma.”
During his presentation, Hellman introduced the research and science behind the hope training. Agency leaders then had the opportunity to work in small groups to develop implementation plans that would help empower their workforce to nurture hope.
“At the end of the day, all of the vision of this work is so that children, adults and families in the state of Oklahoma have the opportunity to thrive,” Hellman said.
To learn more about Hellman and the Hope Research Center, visit www.ou.edu/tulsa/hope.
By Bonnie Rucker
Article Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2021