One hundred fourteen Outreach staff members participated in the 2025 Outreach Winter Event held December 16 at the NCED Conference Center & Hotel in Norman. Another 32 participated via Zoom.

The seasonal celebration and professional learning event theme was “Centering our work on the Science & Power of Hope: Exploring Opportunities & Possibilities”. 

To start the morning program participants were treated to a recorded TEDx Talk by University of Oklahoma professor Chan Hellman, Ph.D., on the Science and Power of Hope. Senior Associate Vice President for Outreach Belinda Biscoe, Ph.D. then lead participants in structured table conversations to unpack Hellman’s key points.

Dr. Anthony Natale, Director, Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS) and Professor at the OU Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, assisted by the SWCHRS team, deepened the conversation and understanding through a series of paired conversations, reflections, and discussions focused on the theme.

Dr. Hellman returned for a livestreamed presentation “Casting a Vision for a Hope-Centered College” and answered participant questions. The SWCHRS team then guided the conversation toward more meaning making through the “Applying Hope in Personal & Professional Contexts” activity.

Dr. Biscoe wrapped up the day with a call to action based on the day’s Framework for Action asking all Outreach employees “to commit to deepen their understanding of the Science of Hope and recognize hope as a tangible, teachable, and measurable framework that strengthens our work across all departments.” She continued with her desire that employees would leave equipped with practical strategies to nurture hope within themselves, their teams, and the communities we serve—empowering them to set meaningful goals, identify pathways to achieve them, and sustain the motivation needed to turn possibilities into progress”.

Door prizes included copies of Dr. Hellman’s book, a gift basket, gift cards and poinsettias. All participants were given a token of the day – a small, smooth stone with the word “Hope” engraved on it.

The Winter Event planning community included Nina Barbee, Belinda Biscoe, Bill Boni, Spencer Brickell, Darlynn Dietrich, Richard Feinberg, Shannon Johansen, Kelsey Martyn-Farewell, Anthony Natale, Kathie Nicoletti, and Lisa Pryor.