Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Dr. Myron L. Pope is Chief of Strategic Engagement for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). He has oversight of the agency’s communications, legislative, community and faith engagement and community relations teams. He joined OKDHS in July 2019 to help lead agency efforts to engage community partners statewide to better serve vulnerable populations.
He is a native of Sweet Water, Alabama, and attended the University of Alabama where he received masters and doctoral degrees in higher education administration and a bachelor’s degree in higher education. He was a member of two Southeastern Conference and one national championship football teams during his time at the Capstone (a longtime nickname for the university).
Prior to arriving at OKDHS, Dr. Pope had a 26-year career in higher education where he served as a staff member, faculty and administrator. He was instrumental in leading efforts to create academic environments conducive to student success in both his work and in consultations at the two- and four-year levels of higher education. He made extensive presentations about his work and published many articles and chapters about various topics in higher education. Through his work, he embraced the mindset that “education is a great equalizer” and can change the lives of individuals and their potential impact on communities.
Dr. Pope is committed to giving back to his community through his community work. He has served on numerous boards and commissions including gubernatorial appointments to the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma, the OKDHS Human Services Commission and the OKDHS Administrative Citizens Advisory Panel. He has also served on the boards of the Edmond YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, the Edmond Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Blood institute.
Dr. Pope resides in Edmond with his wife, Shanna, and their three children, Michael, Allison, and Isaiah.