UNA Annual Conference Speakers

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2025 Conference Keynote

Chan M. Hellman, PhD

Chan M. Hellman is a professor at the University of Oklahoma and Director of The Hope Research Center and has published over 80 research studies. Chan joined the University of Oklahoma in 2002 teaching graduate courses in research methods, statistics, and more recently Hope Theory to Practice. In 2025, Chan was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

Chan’s research is focused on hope as a psychological strength helping children and adults overcome trauma and adversity—he presented on this work with TEDx. His on-going research informs the development of the “Hope Centered and Trauma Informed®” training program used to promote Hope Centered Organizations across the US. Chan has Co-Founded Hope Rising Oklahoma along with First Lady Sarah Stitt in their effort to make Oklahoma a hope-centered state. Chan is the co-author of the award-winning book “Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life” published by Morgan James. Chan was one of five invited workshops for Jane Goodall’s Activating Hope Summit (2021).

In 2023, Chan was invited to a main stage presentation at the American Psychological Association convention. Chan’s work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, American Psychological Association Monitor, CNN, and TIME Magazine. The OU Hope Research Center received the 2024 “Building Knowledge Through Research” award by the US Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime based on the effect the science of hope has on helping organizations serve victims of crime.