In addition to the four faculty coordinator changes already highlighted in this newsroom this summer, there’s another major personnel change happening at the Kennedy Center: Professor Scott Sanders of BYU’s Sociology Department will be stepping into the role of Associate Director for Academics and Research this August. He replaces Professor Quinn Mecham, who has filled that role for the last four years.
Sanders says that his first meaningful international experience came when he served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines. “I lived in small, remote villages,” he says. “There, I witnessed firsthand how vulnerable these communities were to external pressures and disruptions. This experience deeply impacted me and motivated my decision to pursue a career focused on supporting and strengthening such communities.”
When he returned from his mission, he pursued a path centered around international development. After earning a bachelor’s degree in International Politics from BYU, he went to Cornell University to get a Master’s of Public Administration with a concentration in International Development. After that, he earned a master’s degree and PhD in Development Sociology at Cornell. He was hired by BYU’s Sociology Department in 2012.
“Professionally, my international research primarily focuses on poverty alleviation and enhancing well-being among vulnerable populations,” he says. “Additionally, I have extensive experience as an international consultant, advising on poverty alleviation programs and labor standards across various global contexts.”
Sine 2017, he has been the director of the Sociology Department’s Project Evaluation and Assessment Team (PEAT). “Through PEAT, I train students in rigorous evaluation and assessment methods and partner them with international NGOs,” he says. “Together, we enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of development initiatives worldwide. This role has allowed me to mentor and collaborate with students in 23 countries, further enriching my commitment to impactful international development work.”
His connection with the Kennedy Center has lasted nearly as long as his time at BYU: he’s been on the executive committee for the International Development program since 2013, has led several study abroad programs, and was named a Kennedy Center Research Fellow in 2024.
This longtime connection with the Kennedy Center makes sense, given his enthusiasm for international studies: “I believe international studies are essential because they expand perspective, deepen empathy, and prepare students to engage thoughtfully in a globally connected world. These experiences teach not only cultural understanding but also practical problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate across differences, skills that matter now more than ever.”
He adds, “The BYU idea that ‘the world is our campus’ has always deeply resonated with me. Some of the most transformative experiences of my life came from living abroad, first during my mission and later on a BYU study abroad in India. It was there that I realized how powerful it is to see the concepts we learn in the classroom come to life. Reading about global issues in a textbook is one thing; being welcomed into someone’s home, learning about their life, and seeing how your knowledge can make a real difference is something entirely different, and far more meaningful.”
He says that helping students have transformative experiences through PEAT projects has been one of the most rewarding parts of his career, and that an important contribution of the Kennedy Center to the BYU student experience is providing opportunities for students to have transformative experiences of their own. “We are fortunate at BYU to have the Kennedy Center, which provides unparalleled opportunities for students to engage in experiential and inspirational learning on an international scale,” he says. “These programs don’t just enrich individual lives; they create graduates who can positively influence their communities, professions, and the world.”
As he looks forward to his new position, he says, “To me, the Kennedy Center is the heart of international studies at BYU. We have some of the best students, staff, and faculty, and I want to help even more people discover what an incredible resource the Kennedy Center is. My goal is to make the Kennedy Center feel like a home for students on campus and a gateway to inspirational international learning. I’m excited to help create opportunities for more students to connect, explore the world, and see how these experiences can shape their education and their lives.”