Our Team

Chan joined the University of Oklahoma in 2002. Chan is a professor in the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work and Founding Director of the Hope Research Center. He also holds Adjunct Professor appointments in the OU College of Public Health and School of Community Medicine.

Chan’s current research is focused on the application of hope theory to predict adaptive behaviors and hope as a psychological strength that buffer stress and adversity among those impacted by family violence. In this context, he is also interested in the impact of prevention and intervention services on improving hope and well-being. Chan has also begun to examine the effects of collective hope on a community’s capacity to thrive.

Chan has numerous scholarly publications and books and has presented his research at both national and international conferences. Chan teaches both the master’s and doctoral level primarily in the areas of positive psychology, research methods, and statistics. 

Email: chellman@ou.edu

CV: Vita (pdf)

Ric is an assistant professor at the Zarrow School of Social Work. Ric engages in applied hope research, exploring within vulnerable populations both the origins of hope and the role a hopeful mindset plays as a driver of resilience.  Ric's research uses data analysis techniques such as structural equation modeling to test theories explaining the relationship between hopeful thinking to other variables like social support, quality parenting, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). He has over a dozen publications related to hope and resilience, and regularly presents his research nationally and internationally.

Email: rmunoz@ou.edu

CV: Vita (pdf)

Angela’s current research is in child welfare and human service organizations and the application of Hope Centered and Trauma-Informed framework. Hope is a psychological strength and a buffer to stress, adversity, and burnout and a hopeful mindset improves organizational and individual outcomes. She is interested in the impact of intervention services, which improve program outcomes and client wellbeing. Angela is particularly interested in programs and services aimed at serving older youth in foster care and youth who turn 18 while still in foster care. Angela is working with a research team to explore how we can adapt Hope Theory as a framework to improve assessment, planning, and interventions aimed at supporting youth during the transition to adulthood. Also, Angela does research using training and simulation to advance knowledge and skills in child welfare practice.

Dr. Pharris joined the University of Oklahoma in 2017. Angela is an assistant professor in the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work and the coordinator for the Center for Child Welfare Simulation and Training.

Email: angela.b.pharris-1@ou.edu