Welcome to the School of Community Resources and Development (SCRD) at Arizona State University. It is my honor to serve as the Watts Endowed Director and to lead a School deeply committed to advancing the well-being of communities—socially, culturally, environmentally and economically.
Throughout my 25+ years in higher education, I have had the privilege of working alongside inspiring communities around the world—from co-developing an ecotourism program in the Pacific Islands to leading destination stewardship projects across the globe. These experiences have shown me that when we invest in people and place, we can foster meaningful and lasting change. At SCRD, we are cultivating the next generation of changemakers to do just that.
Within our School, we work with students in their preparation to become thoughtful and effective leaders in fields that make an impact on quality of life, communities and businesses, non-profit organizations, and our environment. Of course you work toward a degree, certificate or minor, yet we see these fields as pathways to making a real difference in the lives of others, and in the health of our planet. Our students are driven by purpose and passion, and we support them with academic programs that are grounded in both scholarship and real-world application.
What makes SCRD special is not only our diversity of expertise but our shared commitment to systems thinking and community collaboration. We understand that challenges like climate change, social inequality, sustainable tourism and public health require holistic solutions—and we prepare students to navigate this complexity with curiosity, compassion and competence.
Our global footprint is expanding through initiatives like the Hainan-ASU International College, the Center for Sustainable Tourism and our partnerships with international organizations. These opportunities allow our students and faculty to connect theory with practice on a global stage.
Whether you are just beginning your academic journey or looking to take your career to the next level, I invite you to explore all that SCRD has to offer. You’ll find a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to transforming ideas into action—and committed to helping you forge a meaningful career that contributes to a more equitable, resilient and sustainable world.
Join us in shaping a future where community, purpose and impact guide everything we do.
Warm regards,
Kelly S. Bricker, Ph.D.
Watts Endowed Director, School of Community Resources and Development
Associate Dean, Hainan-ASU International College