Words from the Senior Associate Vice-President

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

What a season it has been! It is always a pleasure to connect with you through this publication, and this spring, I find myself especially grateful for the opportunity to reflect on all that we have shared and celebrated together.

Our annual State of Outreach event, themed “The Human Edge: Evolving with AI,” was nothing short of inspiring. With colleagues from 17 departments joining us at the NCED Conference Center, the day was filled with the kind of energy, conversation, and connection that reminds me why I love this community so deeply. Through six interactive workshops and two virtual learning sessions, we explored the skills that sit at the very heart of who we are as professionals, critical thinking, ethical judgment, creative originality, relational intelligence, communication, and resilience. The message that emerged was clear and affirming--while AI continues to reshape the world of work, it is our humanity, our judgment, our care, our relationships, that will always define the impact of what we do. 

I also want to give a heartfelt shout-out to our Event Planning Committee for putting together such a meaningful and memorable day. A special thank you to Lisa Pryor, who stepped up as our original chair and poured her heart into this event before her well-earned retirement on April 6. Lisa, your fingerprints are all over the success of this day, and we are so grateful. Dr. Nina Barbee stepped seamlessly into the chair role and led with tremendous skill and grace, and Kelsey Martyn-Farewell served as a wonderful co-chair. And I would be remiss not to give a big thank you to Jeff Boles, our masterful emcee, who navigated us through the program with his signature style and warmth. Together with the full planning committee, Jeff Boles, Shannon Johansen, Kathy Cozad, Greg Gibson, Richard Feinberg, Debbie Collum, Ramiro Agundiz, Dr. Anthony Natale, LaShonda Williamson-Jennings, Mandy Callahan, and Kathie Nicoletti, they made the day truly exceptional. I am so deeply grateful for every one of them.

One of the most moving parts of the day, as it always is, was the opportunity to honor our people. Sixty-four colleagues were recognized for milestone years of service, five years to thirty years, each one a testament to the dedication, expertise, and heart that defines the Outreach community. If your name appears in this issue among our honorees, please know how proud I am of you and how much your service means to all of us.

This year’s Collaboration Award resulted in a well-deserved tie, recognizing two exceptional teams whose partnerships produced truly transformative outcomes. And our inaugural AI Innovation Award was a joy to present, honoring creativity, courage, and the kind of forward-thinking leadership that makes Outreach a place where great ideas come to life. I am so proud of every honoree.

As we move into the weeks ahead, I hope you will carry the spirit of this day with you. Lean into your curiosity. Invest in your relationships. Embrace innovation without ever losing sight of what makes our work uniquely, powerfully human. The future of our field will be written by people who guide, interpret, and elevate it—and that is each and every one of you.

This edition of the Gazette is filled with stories that beautifully reflect who we are and all that we are capable of together. I hope you will take time to read each one. 

What a milestone spring it was for our Medieval Fair Department! The 50th Annual Medieval Fair of Norman drew an estimated 94,600 visitors to Reaves Park over a single magical weekend, generating more than $1.4 million in economic activity for our community. Five decades of knights, artisans, jousting, and storytelling is no small feat, and the team behind this beloved event deserves every ounce of the celebration that has come their way. Read more inside about what made this golden anniversary so special, and what exciting events are already on the horizon. 

I am also proud to highlight the work of Jennifer Quillian and Dr. Craig Van Pay, whose expertise in early childhood education took center stage at the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals’ Leadership Conference this spring. Their presentation on creating optimal learning environments for Pre-K and Kindergarten students, grounded in years of rigorous research, is exactly the kind of knowledge-sharing that makes Outreach a trusted resource across our state. You will find the full story inside. 

This issue also celebrates two colleagues who were recognized at the OU Staff Awards Ceremony, and who thoroughly deserve the spotlight. Richard Feinberg marked an extraordinary 35 years of service to the University of Oklahoma, and Jeremy Caudle, on received the Staff Senate Distinguished Performance Award for his exceptional contributions to E-TEAM and to our broader Outreach community. These are the quiet heroes whose excellence makes everything else possible.

Our Educational Training, Evaluation, Training and Assessment (E-TEAM) Department colleagues have had a remarkable season as well. From publishing their first-ever Year in Review, showcasing 17 active projects, 29 proposals, and partnerships with organizations across Oklahoma, to presenting at major conferences and co-authoring a peer-reviewed study on telehealth in early childhood, E-TEAM continues to demonstrate what thoughtful, data-informed work looks like in action. I could not be prouder of this team.

Finally, the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies has had a powerful spring, wrapping up their Hope Science in Higher Education Summit and completing the second cohort of their Managing Civil Discourse training series. In a world that so often struggles to bridge divides, SWCHRS is equipping professionals with the tools to do just that, and the work ahead looks even more promising. Read more inside about what is coming this summer.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed stories, photos, and updates to this issue. Your efforts ensure that the excellence within Outreach is seen, celebrated, and shared. Thank you for being part of this journey. It is the honor of my life to serve alongside you.

With deep gratitude, 

Belinda Biscoe, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Vice President for 
University Outreach
The University of Oklahoma