https://swchrsdev.ou.edu/Conferences-Events Parent Page: Conferences & Events id: 36083 Active Page: Hope in Higher Ed id: 35895

Hope Science Higher Ed Summit

Exploring Hope in Higher Education Online April 8-9

Higher Ed Hive Logo

Why You Should Attend The Hope Science Higher Ed Summit

The Hope Science Higher Ed Summit brings together scholars and practitioners to provide faculty, professional staff, and college and university administrators an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Science of Hope, and how it can be applied as an innovative and human-centered approach to higher education. Participants will learn tangible and highly effective ways to apply this important research-based framework to their lives, work and community. This gathering creates a space for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of practices that inspire connection and resilience across learning environments.

About the Science of Hope

The Science of Hope offers a research-based framework for strengthening success and well-being. In this approach, hope is defined as the ability to set meaningful goals, identify workable pathways to reach them, and maintain the motivation to move forward. Decades of evidence show that hopeful people persist longer, adapt more effectively to challenges, and experience better personal outcomes. Because hope can be measured and intentionally developed, it provides colleges and universities with a practical and highly effective framework for supporting learners, creating environments where students feel capable, connected, and empowered. Higher education communities can also successfully cultivate a Hope Science framework into every aspect of their campus - from individual advising to institutional culture.

Registration

TEDx in Oklahoma City with Dr. Hellman

Learn how The Science and Power of Hope can be applied to support student success.

Student Early Bird
(until 3/8/2026)		 Attendee
$450 $495 $550

Refund Policy: All registration fees are non-refundable. Since the Summit provides on-demand access to multiple sessions, registrants will retain access to the content after the event is completed for one year.

 
Hope in Higher Ed digital badge sample (watermarked; not valid)

Optional Digital Badge

Option to add a digital micro-credential. Available to participants who complete the full requirements. Credential badge shown with watermark for display purposes only. Official badges are awarded upon completion.

Track and Session Description

Students, Student Affairs, and Staff Support

Hope in Higher Ed

Track Description: Hope in Higher Ed explores how the Science of Hope is a measurable, teachable, and powerful psychological resource that drives resilience, success, and well-being. Grounded in research, it shows how hope can transform individuals and institutions. This track seeks to rekindle Hope in the ever-changing landscape of higher education. Participants in this 3-session track will receive practical insight on how to implement the Science of Hope into their work as Students or Professionals in Student Affairs, Student Life, or Student Services.

Session Title: The Science of Hope as a Pathway for Student Success

Session Description: This session explores how hope directly influences student engagement, resilience, and achievement. Participants will learn about the process of the loss of hope, how to spot it and suggested ways of navigating to help students succeed. Drawing on Hope Science, the presentation highlights how educators and institutions can intentionally cultivate hope through supportive relationships, clear goal-setting, and inclusive learning environments. Participants will practice goal setting to understand the process and how to assist students with setting their own goals.

Headshot of Amy Savage

Speaker: Amy Savage, Hope Ambassador, Omni Family Institute

Speaker Bio: Amy brings nearly thirty years of experience in child welfare, including four years of prevention work. She has served in leadership roles with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services as a Foster Care Team Leader and later as Program Director of Continuous Quality Improvement. Amy holds a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Educational Interpreting for the Deaf, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

 

Deeply committed to the Science of Hope, Amy intentionally applies hope-centered principles not only in her professional practice but in her personal life as well. Currently serving as the Hope Ambassador at Omni Family of Services, she is leading efforts to infuse Hope Science across all programming, using it as a foundation for organizational culture and service delivery to clients.

Session Title: The Science of Hope and Student Coaching

Session Description: This session will show how hope functions as a measurable, evidence-based framework that strengthens student motivation and goal attainment. We will build upon aspects from the Student Success session and explore how regular coaching conversations support students in navigating academic, personal, and career challenges by fostering self-efficacy, problem solving and accountability.

Headshot of Amy Savage

Speaker: Amy Savage, Hope Ambassador, Omni Family Institute

Speaker Bio: Amy brings nearly thirty years of experience in child welfare, including four years of prevention work. She has served in leadership roles with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services as a Foster Care Team Leader and later as Program Director of Continuous Quality Improvement. Amy holds a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Educational Interpreting for the Deaf, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

 

Deeply committed to the Science of Hope, Amy intentionally applies hope-centered principles not only in her professional practice but in her personal life as well. Currently serving as the Hope Ambassador at Omni Family of Services, she is leading efforts to infuse Hope Science across all programming, using it as a foundation for organizational culture and service delivery to clients.

Session Title: Hope for the University

Session Description: Oklahoma Baptist University experienced significant transition between 2018-2021, which led to challenges of morale and purpose. The impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic exacerbated the pressures created with transition. However, the science of hope became a powerful resource to begin engaging the tensions and challenges, providing language and pathways for hope renewal at OBU. This session will explore the vital role the science of hope has played in a renewal of OBU among faculty, staff and students. We will unpack the practical benefits of hope training for stakeholders in the university and why its implementation was both necessary and beneficial.

Headshot of Heath A. Thomas

Speaker: Heath A. Thomas, PhD, President, Oklahoma Baptist University

Speaker Bio: Dr. Heath A. Thomas is a proven academic leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education. Dr. Thomas leads teams and academic institutions toward enrollment and revenue growth in every capacity. As the director of the doctoral program at Southeastern Seminary, Dr. Thomas led in doubling student enrollment in four years, doubling revenue expectations in that period. Since becoming President of Oklahoma Baptist University in January of 2020, Dr. Thomas has led a renaissance of the university’s campus and culture while catalyzing the university to serve state, business, industry, and healthcare sectors to facilitate workforce development and placement through OBU.

 

In his time as President at OBU, Dr. Thomas has led the university to significant enrollment and revenue growth, endowment growth, and institutional health. He has led toward the launches the inaugural engineering programs, inaugural graduate and doctoral health science programs, and industry-related degree offerings. His leadership is proven internationally, serving as chair of the Consortium for Global Education and chair of the internationally renowned Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar (Cambridge, UK). He currently serves as an associate fellow of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Dr. Thomas is an internationally recognized scholar on the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and publishes and speaks regularly.

Professional Staff and Administrators

Track Description: Hope in Higher Ed explores how the Science of Hope is a measurable, teachable, and powerful psychological resource that drives resilience, success, and well-being. Grounded in research, it shows how hope can transform individuals and institutions. This track seeks to rekindle Hope in the ever-changing landscape of higher education. Participants in this 3-session track will receive practical insight on how to implement the Science of Hope into their work as Administrators and Staff Support Professionals.

Session Title: Hope-Driven Leadership: The Influence of Hope Starts with You

Session Description: Effective staff supervision and leadership development require more than policies and performance metrics—they require leaders who understand how hope and brain science shape behavior, motivation, and growth. This session focuses on the application of the Science of Hope in leadership and supervision. Participants will explore how stress and trauma impact regulation, trust, and problem-solving, and learn practical, actionable strategies for cultivating hope, strengthening resilience, and building psychologically safe, high-functioning teams.

Headshot of Joe Blankenship

Speaker: Joe Blankenship, Director of Hope-Driven Coaching

Speaker Bio: Joe Blankenship, Director of Hope-Driven Coaching, brings more than 35 years of experience as a teacher and speaker, 30 years working with at-risk students and families, and over 25 years in leadership and coaching, including multiple championship teams. Supported by a Master Certification in the Neurosequential Model of Sport and formal training in the Science of Hope, Joe equips leaders, teachers, and coaches with trauma-responsive, hope-centered strategies that support both performance and well-being. His work is driven by a deep commitment to building hope in the next generation.

Session Title: Science of Hope in Organizational Leadership

Session Description: For the Science of Hope in Organizational Leadership, this session will empower leaders to operationalize the science of hope as a permanent organizational belief system. This session moves beyond hope as a transactional resource for others, focusing instead on how leaders can cultivate a 'High-Hope' internal architecture. Participants will leave with strategies to integrate the framework of Goals, Pathways, and Agency into their leadership style, team dynamics, and institutional mindset.

Headshot of Ptorey Crutchfield

Speaker: Ptorey Crutchfield, Special Project Coordinator, Agape Child & Family Services

Speaker Bio: Ptorey Crutchfield is a hope-science speaker and program leader with extensive experience helping organizations clarify values, set goals, and translate vision into measurable action. With a deep background in training design and facilitation, Ptorey has developed and delivered curriculum, led one-on-one and department-wide professional learning, and guided onboarding experiences that build aligned, mission-focused teams. As a behavior and culture strategist, Ptorey designs evidence-informed plans that strengthen engagement and attendance, develop leadership, increase family and community partnership, and support at-risk populations through prevention and intervention strategies. Grounded in the Science of Hope, Ptorey equips leaders to build high-trust, resilient cultures where people thrive and performance follows.

Session Title: Science of Hope in Community Building

Session Description: For the Science of Hope in Community Building, this session will explore how the Science of Hope is a catalyst for sustainable community development. By examining the non-linear relationship between social capital, collective buy-in, and collective impact, participants will learn how to move beyond isolated interventions toward a unified hope-centered ecosystem. We will discuss how to spark agency across diverse stakeholders to create resilient pathways for community-wide transformation.

Headshot of Ptorey Crutchfield

Speaker: Ptorey Crutchfield, Special Project Coordinator, Agape Child & Family Services

Speaker Bio: Ptorey Crutchfield is a hope-science speaker and program leader with extensive experience helping organizations clarify values, set goals, and translate vision into measurable action. With a deep background in training design and facilitation, Ptorey has developed and delivered curriculum, led one-on-one and department-wide professional learning, and guided onboarding experiences that build aligned, mission-focused teams. As a behavior and culture strategist, Ptorey designs evidence-informed plans that strengthen engagement and attendance, develop leadership, increase family and community partnership, and support at-risk populations through prevention and intervention strategies. Grounded in the Science of Hope, Ptorey equips leaders to build high-trust, resilient cultures where people thrive and performance follows.

Faculty and the Classroom

Hope in Higher Ed — Professors & Faculty

Track Description: Hope in Higher Ed explores how the Science of Hope is a measurable, teachable, and powerful psychological resource that drives resilience, success, and well-being. Grounded in research, it shows how hope can transform individuals and institutions. This track seeks to rekindle Hope in the ever-changing landscape of higher education. Participants in this 3-session track will receive practical insight on how to implement the Science of Hope into their work as Professors and Faculty Members.

Session Title: Hope Beyond the Classroom: Faculty Roles, Systems, and Institutional Climate

Session Description: Building on the summit keynote, this interactive session explores how hope operates within faculty roles, academic systems, and institutional culture. Rather than focusing on classroom teaching strategies, this session examines hope as a systems-embedded construct shaped by policies, norms, and faculty practices beyond instruction. Participants will reflect on how academic structures influence goal clarity, pathways, and agency for both faculty and students, and identify feasible leverage points within faculty roles that can strengthen collective hope. This session provides a foundation for later sessions on teaching hope in the classroom by addressing the institutional conditions that support or undermine hope in higher education.

Headshot of Angela B. Pharris, PhD

Speaker: Angela B. Pharris, PhD, Associate Professor, Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work

Speaker Bio: Dr. Pharris is an Associate Professor in the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma, Director of the Child Welfare Impact Institute, and Senior Researcher at the Hope Research Center. Angela’s current research is in child welfare and human service organizations and the application of the Hope Centered and Trauma-Informed framework for practice. Hope is a psychological strength, a buffer to stress, adversity, and burnout, and a hopeful mindset that improves organizational and individual outcomes.

Session Title: Hope in the Classroom

Session Description: The session will center on hope theory, including the psychometric measurement of hope. Empirical results will be presented that highlight the positive impact hope has on resilience during goal pursuit. The session will also examine education as a goal directed activity, and how hope, as a goal theory, can be used to promote educational outcomes.

Headshot of Ricky T Munoz, JD

Speaker: Ricky T Munoz, JD, Associate Professor, University of Oklahoma

Speaker Bio: Ric Munoz is the research director at the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma. In that role, he has published over 75 peer reviewed publications and presentations that center on empirically examining the role of hope in promoting resilience and coping in the face of adversity. His research has consistently demonstrated that hope is consistently one of the psychological states most linked to global well-being across a variety of individuals in a variety of contexts.

Session Title: Science of Hope in Curriculum Development

Session Description: Building on prior coursework in the science of hope, this session focuses on curriculum development as a structural way to cultivate hope in higher education. The first half uses an interactive lecture with guided prompts to connect hope to curriculum design decisions such as sequencing, assessment, feedback systems, and transparency. After a brief break, participants collaborate to identify learner realities, redesign a curricular element, and consider tradeoffs and unintended consequences. Designed for both experienced faculty and participants new to teaching, the session emphasizes hope as a collective responsibility grounded in access, opportunity, and belonging.

Headshot of Anthony P Natale, PhD

Speaker: Anthony P Natale, PhD, Professor and Senior Administrative Director

Speaker Bio: Anthony P. Natale, Ph.D., MSW, is the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies Director and an Associate Professor at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. He teaches various social work courses and has received accolades, including induction into the Social Work Hall of Fame for Teaching Excellence in 2015 and the University of Oklahoma Regents Award for Superior Teaching in 2019.

Dr. Natale's research focuses on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (IDEA-B) in higher education, HIV/AIDS health disparities among minoritized populations, trauma-informed interventions in social work practice, and social work with LGBTQQIPA2+ individuals. Before his current role, he held administrative positions such as Social Work Graduate Coordinator, Assistant Director of the School of Social Work, and Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence at the University of Oklahoma Graduate College.

Program Schedule Overview

All registrants will have the opportunity to choose a topic to focus on in order to receive credentialing at the end of the conference. Those who do not wish to receive Hope Science credentials will be able to mix and match their sessions throughout the event. 

Track 1: Students, Student Affairs, and Staff Support

Track 2: Professional Staff and Administrators

Track 3: Faculty and the Classroom

The schedule is listed in Central Time. 

Day One: April 8th

(10:45am - 12:00pm CT)

Opening Keynote: Intro to Hope with Chan Hellman

(12:30pm - 2:30pm CT)

Breakout Sessions

  • Track 1: The Science of Hope as a Pathway for Student Success
  • Track 2: The Science of Hope in Staff Supervision and Leadership Development
  • Track 3: The Science of Hope for Faculty

(3:00pm - 5:00pm CT)

Breakout Sessions

  • Track 1: The Science of Hope in Student Coaching
  • Track 2: The Science of Hope in Organizational Leadership
  • Track 3: The Science of Hope in the Classroom

Day Two: April 9th

(11:00am - 12:00pm CT)

Coffee Chat

(12:30pm - 2:30pm CT)

Breakout Sessions

  • Track 1: The Science of Hope Impacts on Student Life
  • Track 2: The Science of Hope in Community Building
  • Track 3: The Science of Hope in Curriculum Development

(3:00pm - 4:15pm CT)

Closing Keynote: “The Why” of Hope Panel

Our Mission

Hope Higher Ed Summit provides a research-based approach for higher education communities to be a catalyst for human and community flourishing.

Hope Co-Conveners

With more than 15 years of research into the science of hope and more than 20 years as a university professor, Chan Hellman, Ph.D., focuses on sharing the science and power of hope in our ability to overcome trauma and thrive in life. He has worked with numerous human service organizations, corporations, state agencies, school districts and national coalitions to create hope-centered strategic plans.

Dr. Hellman is widely recognized as one of the leading hope scholars in the world. Based upon his evidence-backed research in the science of hope, his Hope Centered curriculum is a registered copyright under the trademark Hope Centered and Trauma Informed®.

In 2021 he presented a TEDx talk and provided a hope workshop in Jane Goodall’s Activating Hope Summit with an estimated 1 million+ participants. Elected officials in Europe and the United Kingdom have begun efforts to implement Dr. Hellman’s strategies and trainings to become cities of hope.

Previous clients include municipalities, school districts, non-profit organizations, privately-held corporations, publicly-traded companies, and governmental agencies.

To date, almost 10,000 individuals have completed Dr. Hellman’s Hope Centered training in the United States and abroad, including participants in Turkey, Germany, Italy, Belgium, England, and Northern Ireland.

He co-founded Hope Rising Oklahoma with Oklahoma First Lady Sarah Stitt and the Sarah Stitt Hope Foundation and he is the co-author of “Hope Rising: How The Science of Hope Can Change Your Life” a best-selling book published by Morgan James. He holds a doctor of philosophy degree and he’s published more than 150 scholarly publications.

Chan Hellman, PhD

Founding Director of the Hope Research Center & Professor

PhD, Oklahoma State University
MA, University of Central Oklahoma
BA, Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Dr. Pharris joined the University of Oklahoma in 2017. She is an Associate Professor, Director of the Child Welfare Impact Institute, and a Senior Researcher at the Hope Research Center.

Dr. Pharris’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, a buffer to stress, adversity, and burnout, and a hopeful mindset that improves organizational and individual outcomes. She is interested in the impact of intervention services, which improve program outcomes and client well-being. Hope is a psychological strength, a buffer to stress, adversity, and burnout, and a hopeful mindset that improve various of individual and organizational outcomes. She is interested in the impact of utilizing the framework as a model for services aimed at improving program outcomes and client well-being.

Dr. Pharris is particularly interested in programs and services in child welfare, including programs created to serve older youth in foster care and those who turn 18 while still in foster care. She also uses research to improve support for the child welfare workforce. Dr. Pharris is also the principal investigator and evaluator of several projects, including the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program, the adaption of simulation-based training in child welfare, and implementing hope as a framework for human service practices grants.

Angela Pharris, PhD, MSW

Associate Professor, Director of the Child Welfare Impact Institute
Senior Researcher at the Hope Research Center

PhD, Tennessee State University
MSW, Spalding University
BS, Middle Tennessee University

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media, subscribe to our SWCHRS mailing list to receive alerts, and join our learning community to stay updated on the latest webinars, events, and opportunities.

Contact Us

Have questions or need more information? Reach out to us at swchrs@ou.edu.