MICHAEL CROW

President, Arizona State University

In what ways has your organization had to “pivot” as the short-term impacts of the pandemic took hold? 

The key pivot points for us relative to the pandemic have been to accelerate innovation and to maintain steady focus. Luckily, we’ve been able to do both and we will be a stronger institution after COVID-19 than we were prior to the pandemic. 

What trends are you experiencing in your own industry, across the U.S. and globally, related to expected long-term impacts of the pandemic? 

The long-term impact of the pandemic is that those who are technologically agile, highly innovative and adaptive, and capable of culture change will survive and prosper.  Others who choose to wait for a return to what was pre-pandemic will struggle with its artifacts as well as the rapidly accelerating rate of technological, physical and social change. 

From your business vantage point, what qualities put the Tucson region in a position to recover quicker economically and more effectively than other regions?

The Tucson metro area, in the Sun Corridor, possesses many positive qualities, including its physical location in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. This, plus its open culture and drive for success make Tucson a fabulous place to start or build a business, particularly in those areas where Arizona has a natural advantage, like industries related to health outcomes, sustainability and the environment, and innovation. If we can further accentuate these advantages it will be to everyone’s benefit. 

What are some of the attributes of Tucson that you personally enjoy?

The attributes of Tucson that I personally enjoy the most are the culture, the uniqueness of the city itself, the natural physical beauty and the diversity of its population. All of these things give Tucson a unique edge in building its future.