The Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS), part of OU Outreach, continues to create spaces where learning, connection, and conversation come together. This fall, SWCHRS wrapped up its five-part Managing Civic Discourse webinar series, held from August through September 2025, and co-hosted the Mid-Atlantic Regional on October 9–10 in partnership with American University’s Center for Student Belonging. 

Each of these experiences offers a different way to build community. The Managing Civic Discourse series invited faculty, staff, and administrators to explore practical communication frameworks such as Crucial Conversations, Nonviolent Communication, the Interest-Based Relational model, the 4Rs Method, and the DESC Script model. Each help turn high-stakes discussions into opportunities for trust and understanding. Participants who completed the full series earned a micro-credential in Managing Civic Discourse along with a digital badge recognizing their professional learning.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Institute, sponsored, in part, by AU Kitchen, the NCAA, and Chartwells Higher Ed, brought together educators and leaders from across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware for two days of meaningful collaboration and idea-sharing. Participants explored key themes shaping the future of higher education, from civic engagement and student access to leadership ethics, and the transition from learning to work. Sessions encouraged open conversation about how institutions and higher education leaders can navigate today’s complex environments to bridge divides, strengthen belonging, and lead with clarity and resilience. 

Together, these programs reflect how SWCHRS builds learning communities where professionals grow, practice, and connect. This fall, the Center continues that mission through Live Learning Labs, offering flexible, accessible opportunities for CEUs. Upcoming sessions include AI in Social Work Practice, Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence, and Bias in Social Work Practice webinars. Learn more at https://swchrs.ou.edu/Initiatives/Live-Learning-Lab