Education:
- Master's of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP), University of Pennsylvania
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Boğaziçi American University, Turkey
- Bachelor of Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences (Interdisciplinary study of Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy), Pennsylvania State University
Certifications:
- Applied Positive Psychology Coaching Certification, The Flourishing Center
- Master Resilience Training, US Army
- Facilitator Career Development, National Career Development Association
- Training & Facilitating Certificate, US Army
Location: Cairo, Egypt
pROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
A Positive Psychology Expert, Speaker, Educator, ICF-accredited Applied Positive Psychology Coach, and U.S. Army-certified Training Facilitator, Hamide blends evidence-based science with heart-centered teaching to help individuals and organizations flourish — and to train others to do the same. A life of constant moves across four continents with her the US Army JAG husband and three children has given her the rare opportunity to practice and apply positive psychology across an unusually wide range of settings — from federal agencies and the military to nonprofits, schools, and the private sector — serving professionals, educators, youth, and communities of vastly different cultures, demographics, and backgrounds.Over the past decade, she has designed and delivered customized youth-mentoring, resilience, wellness, and inclusion programs serving diverse communities across more than a dozen countries. She also provides one-on-one positive psychology coaching specifically for youth and young adults, and works as a contractor educator delivering workshops and trainings for a range of organizations.A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Master of Applied Positive Psychology program and a former Assistant Instructor to Martin Seligman, Hamide's MAPP thesis — which received a distinguished performance mark — explored the intersection of psychedelics, positive psychology, and positive arts and humanities. Her broader scholarly interests include transcendence, neuropsychology, positive arts and humanities, and well-being. She continues to guest lecture, present at international conferences, and provide curriculum consulting to various institutions. She also serves as board vice president of a European nonprofit exploring the role of spirituality in human flourishing and wellness.As a faculty member for The Flourishing Center's Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) program, Hamide guides global cohorts in translating PERMA-V™ science into actionable tools for coaching, teaching, and organizational change. Drawing on her multicultural background and bilingual fluency, she meets learners where they are — and sparks the insight, creativity, and courage they need to thrive.
Words of Wisdom:
- Flourishing is less about avoiding darkness and more about learning to dance with every shade of light. - Hamide Eygoren
Favorite Quotes:
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What you seek is seeking you. – Rumi
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Love is the best and the noblest thing in the human heart, especially when it is tested by life as gold is tested by fire. – Vincent van Gogh
My Top Character Strengths:
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Spirituality
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Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
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Perspective
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Social Intelligence
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Love
My Story:
- Born in İzmir, I grew up navigating Istanbul’s vibrant, ever-evolving streets—a city rich in diverse history, art, and culture. The stark contrasts of secular and sacred, East and West, made it endlessly fascinating and enriching, yet at times, alienating. As a teenager grappling with multiple identities, I often felt invisible. Amidst this turbulence, our home life remained a constant, anchored by daily rituals of literature, art, music, and spirited dinner-table debates. Engaging with the arts and humanities not only shaped who I am but also became my first tools for resilience, teaching me that meaning can be forged even when a sense of belonging is uncertain.
- At the American College (Boğaziçi University), I immersed myself in philosophy and the social sciences. Simultaneously, I mentored high-school students from underserved communities and fellow college students. Serving as a “family away from family” for them clarified my life’s purpose: to create environments where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to flourish. This passion for service even unexpectedly shaped my personal life. An exchange-program classmate, sensing a connection, told her brother in the U.S., “Even though I don’t know much about her, there’s a student here who reminds me of you.” He flew to Turkey, and we met. After an instant connection, he proposed on the very day we met.
- Marriage brought me to Philadelphia, where my husband and I dedicated ourselves to interfaith and intercultural dialogue nonprofits. Still in our early twenties, we prioritized service over personal comfort. A new chapter began when he joined the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Military life has since taken our family of five across several U.S. states, Germany, and now Egypt, surrounding us with communities united by a spirit of selfless service.
- This journey has had its challenges: immigrant stress, young parenthood far from support networks, constant moves, and political upheaval back home that deeply affected my family. Conventional therapy offered only temporary relief; Positive Psychology, however, felt like a vital breath of fresh air. Finding positive psychology not only helped me, but it also became my passion. So, I enrolled in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania, where I studied under Dr. Martin Seligman. This scientific approach resonated with every facet of my life—guiding my own path to flourishing and expanding my capabilities and reach for serving others.
- Since completing the program, I have designed and facilitated resilience, wellness, and inclusion programs for soldiers, spouses, educators, administrators, and teenagers in over a dozen countries. Each new duty station reinforces a fundamental truth: when individuals align their strengths, stories, communities, and challenges, flourishing becomes possible—even in transient or high-stress environments.
- Today, I feel profoundly fortunate to apply these insights as a facilitator for The Flourishing Center’s Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) program. My goal is to walk alongside fellow learners, translating evidence-based techniques into everyday practices that empower individuals, families, and organizations to thrive, no matter where life plants them.
Morning Ritual:
- My day starts with morning meditation and prayer, grounding myself before the rush begins. As a family, we share long, mindful hugs before heading into our day—a small ritual that fills our home with warmth. After that, I’m off and running, helping my three kids get ready for school.
A Little Known Fact About Me…
- I like exercising through a Virtual Reality fitness app. I’m a huge The Lord of The Rings fan. I love scuba diving and snorkeling, and playing Stardew Valley with my kids.
