Kelly Bricker

Dr. Kelly S. Bricker is a globally recognized leader in sustainable tourism, destination stewardship, and natural resource management. She currently serves as the Watts Endowed Director of the School of Community Resources and Development (SCRD) at Arizona State University and Associate Dean and Director of the Hainan-Arizona State University International Tourism College (HAITC), where she oversees strategic initiatives spanning domestic and international academic programs. With over 25 years in higher education, Dr. Bricker has held faculty and administrative roles at institutions including the University of Utah and the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. Her leadership experience extends across curriculum development, faculty advancement, research administration, and international collaboration. She brings to her roles a deep commitment to interdisciplinary education and a passion for linking tourism development with community well-being and environmental conservation. An accomplished scholar, Dr. Bricker has authored or co-edited over ten books and published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles focused on ecotourism, protected area management, and quality of life in tourism contexts. Her research, often conducted in partnership with national parks and global NGOs, has informed policy and practice in areas such as visitor use management, sustainable certification, and the social impacts of tourism. She has led or contributed to sustainability assessments in destinations such as Palm Beach County, Los Angeles County, the Cook Islands, and U.S. national parks using the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Standards. Dr. Bricker has been recognized with prestigious awards including the George R. Butler Lecture Award from the National Recreation and Park Association, the Distinguished Colleague Award from the Academy of Leisure Sciences, and the Benton H. Box Award for environmental leadership. She is a Fellow of both the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the Academy of Leisure Sciences. A leading advocate for global sustainability, Dr. Bricker serves as Vice Chair of the Board of the GSTC and has been appointed to several high-level advisory bodies, including the State Department’s U.S. Speaker Program and Travel Unity. She has also contributed to international conservation efforts through her leadership in the IUCN Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group. Dr. Bricker’s career is grounded in a dedication to