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Welcome to Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies

LEARN WITH US

The Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS), a department of University Outreach/College of Continuing Education (CCE), The University of Oklahoma was established to bridge the gap between higher education and communities and address issues of human conflict and resolution through dialogue, knowledge sharing, and civic engagement. For over 70 years, SWCHRS has been devoted to promoting and understanding cross-cultural, intercultural and intracultural communication and cooperation. Through evidence-based approaches, we help organizations, institutions, and communities develop strategies for growth, including workforce pipelines, leadership cultivation, community engagement, and civic participation.

As a leader in higher education professional development, SWCHRS organizes dynamic learning communities that strengthen leadership, enhance workforce efficiency, and build sustainable models for success.


 

SWCHRS Learning Communities

Hope Rising Summit

The Hope Rising Summit offers a day-and-a-half virtual experience focused on applying hope theory—goals, pathways, and agency—to real-world practice. Participants will learn strategies for casework, supervision, and resilience, and will be eligible to earn a digital micro badge as a Hope Practitioner.

Spring 2026 • $150 • CEU Credit Available

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SWCHRS Webinar Series Logo

SWCHRS Webinars provide professionals in education and related fields with practical, skills-based learning opportunities designed to enhance communication, leadership, and workforce effectiveness.

  • Managing Difficult Conversations (MDC) - Fall 2025
  • Cognitive and Analytical Thinking - TBD
  • Social and Emotional Skills in Leadership - TBD
  • Technical and Industry-Aligned Skills - TBD

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Technical Assistance, Consultation, and Training (TACT) provides comprehensive assistance to organizations addressing human conflict and resolution. By collaborating with both higher education and public education institutions, TACT develops tailored strategies to enhance internal capacity and promote conflict resolution, fostering a more harmonious educational landscape

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SWCHRS Regional Institutes

The SWCHRS Regional Institutes brings together educators, leaders, and practitioners from across the region to address pressing challenges in higher education. Through interactive workshops and collaborative dialogues, this initiative fosters innovative strategies and shared understanding, enhancing institutional effectiveness and promoting practices across academic communities.

The current Regional Institute is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Institute, taking place October 9–10. Registration is $99 per participant.

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CEU/CME Virtual Learning Hub

The CEU/CME Virtual Learning Hub delivers practical, skills-based training for professionals in healthcare and human services. Courses cover age-specific care, trauma-informed communication, healthcare access, and personal accountability. Live and self-paced options available.

$99 Annually • CEU/CME Credit Available

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Previous SWCHRS Learning Communities

NCORE (1988-2025) - National conference for higher education professionals to explore and address the complexities of human differences.

  • Planned and organized the annual multicultural forum, ensuring a comprehensive institutional change focus.
  • Developed a conference program that included keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
  • Coordinated the call for proposals process and selected presentations aligned with the conference's goals.
  • Engaged with partner organizations and stakeholders to promote the conference and increase attendance.
  • Managed logistics, including venue selection, registration, catering, and audiovisual support.
  • Evaluated the impact and effectiveness of the conference through participant feedback and data analysis.

Reels on Human Relations Film Festival (2022-2024) - Student focused film festival. Screening held on the University of Oklahoma campus.

  • Organized and oversaw the entire film festival planning and execution process.
  • Solicited and collected all film submissions from potential participants.
  • Reviewed entries and coordinated the evaluation process.
  • Selected a panel of judges to evaluate the submitted films.
  • Organized and scheduled the screening timeline and program flow.
  • Designed and structured the program for the screening.

Train the Trainer program (2015-2021) - Developed and implemented a research-based training curriculum for trainers for the first year diversity training at the University of Oklahoma for all first-year students. 

  • Conducted research on best practices in diversity training and curriculum development.
  • Identified key topics and learning objectives related to identity formation, understanding group differences, implicit bias, and positive interaction.
  • Designed engaging and interactive training modules and materials.
  • Collaborated with subject matter experts and stakeholders to gather feedback and refine the curriculum.
  • Conducted pilot testing and made necessary revisions based on feedback.
  • Prepared training facilitators and provided them with the necessary resources and guidance for successful implementation

University of Oklahoma Intercultural Competence Plan (2018-2020)

  • Conducted a comprehensive analysis of the institution's current Intercultural Competence practices and challenges.
  • Utilized a Theory of Change methodology to develop a strategic plan addressing the unique needs of historically underrepresented groups.
  • Engaged with various stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators, to gather input and ensure inclusivity in the planning process.
  • Developed action plans with specific goals, objectives, and timelines for implementing Intercultural Competence initiatives.
  • Collaborated with university leadership to align the current Intercultural Competence plan with the overall strategic plan.
  • Monitored progress, tracked outcomes, and made adjustments as needed to ensure the plan's effectiveness.

Third International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals Implementation in the Lake Chad Basin Region (2019)

  • Collaborated with The Permanent Mission of Nigeria and other partners to plan and coordinate the conference.
  • Developed a conference theme and sub-themes aligned with sustainable development goals and climate change.
  • Established a call for proposals and coordinated the selection process.
  • Facilitated communication and coordination among participants, speakers, and presenters.
  • Organized logistics such as venue selection, accommodation, catering, and audiovisual support.
  • Designed and implemented evaluation mechanisms to assess the success of the conference.

Provided training and consultation in intercultural conflict management for OU Athletics, OU Student Affairs, the Governor’s Leadership Cohort, and the military civil affairs division at Ft. Bragg (2014-2016)

Provide training and education in the field of infopoverty. Presented at the United Nations (2012)

  • Infopoverty refers to a United Nations program, initiated in 2001, aimed at using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to fight poverty and promote sustainable development in disadvantaged communities.
  • The annual Infopoverty World Conference brought scholars, government officials, program staff and vendors together to develop plans and strategies to address this goal of worldwide connectivity.