Nick Recker

Nicholas Recker, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Metropolitan State University of Denver. His areas of expertise include sociology, rural communities, economic development, quality of life, social capital and social-science research methods.

Recker has taught at Metropolitan State University of Denver since 2010. His research examines the social and economic well-being of rural communities, with a focus on how economic development, business growth and community amenities affect quality of life and social capital. He has coauthored several scholarly publications, including “The Impact of Recruiting Employers, Growing Local Businesses, and Developing Amenities on the Social and Economic Welfare of Small Towns” and “The Impact of Economic Shocks on Quality of Life and Social Capital in Small Towns.”

Before joining Metropolitan State University of Denver, Recker worked in research and community-development settings focused on social and economic issues affecting rural populations.

Recker earned his doctorate and master’s degree in sociology and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Iowa State University.