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Scott Shafer
- Professor and Chief of Campus and Community Enrichment
- Office:
- AGLS 440
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- (979) 314-8158
Education
- Undergraduate Education
- B.S., Texas A&M University, 1981
- Graduate Education
- M.S. University of Utah, 1986
- Ph.D., Clemson University, 1993
- Awards
- Elected Fellow, Academy of Leisure Sciences
- Distinguished Achievement Teaching (University), Assoc. of Former Students
- Distinguished Achievement Teaching (College), Association of Former Students
- Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence - Teaching, Texas A&M AgriLife
- Teaching Award of Merit, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
- Outstanding Alumni, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, University of Utah
- Educator of the Year, Texas Recreation and Parks Society
- Planning and Zoning Commissioner of the Year, Central Texas APA
- Dwight A. Holder Environmental Leadership Award, Clemson University
- Courses Taught
- Park Planning and Design
- Foundations of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
- Field Course: Park and Protected Area Management
- Field Course: Urban Parks and Public Spaces
- Field Course: Study Abroad in Natural Resources
Areas of Expertise
- Park Planning and Design
- Recreation Specialization
- Trail Design and Experiences
Other Professional Experience
- Lecturer, Department of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography, James Cook University, Australia;
- Research Associate, Cooperative Research Center for the Ecologically Sustainable Development of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Research Direction
- Application of planning process to park and tourism environments
- Recreation specialization
- Trail experiences.
Selected Publications
Dr. Shafer is a Professor and Associate Vice President. He received a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University in 1993. He spent two years on the faculty of Tropical Environment Studies at James Cook University in Australia before returning to Texas A&M. Scott received his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University in 1981.
Dr. Shafer’s teaching, research and service have been oriented toward the design, planning and use of parks, trails and other public spaces. His teaching employs high impact practices through opportunities that help students develop cultural competence in study abroad courses and an understanding of “real world” processes through community planning. Students apply theory and concepts in developing plans and design solutions to enhance quality of life. Scott’s classes have been involved in projects ranging from a grant funded EPA proposal on green infrastructure, which students presented in Washington DC, to the development of a Texas Recreational Trails grant that was successful in helping a community nonprofit in Hearne, Texas secure $145,000 for trail development. Dr. Shafer has chaired the committees of more than 40 graduate students and contributed as a member on another 60 graduate committees. His participation on graduate committees has included service to students in multiple disciplines.
Dr. Shafer currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Campus and Community Enrichment. In that role he works with the Opera and Performing Arts Society (OPAS), the University Art Galleries, the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, the Office of Sustainability and the Becky Gates and Charlotte Sharp Children’s Centers.