ASU's New Baker-in-Residence Aims to Unite Tempe Through Bread

James Beard Award winner Don Guerra brings community-focused breadmaking to campus

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:21am

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen illustration featuring a single loaf of bread repeated in a grid pattern, rendered in a bold, neon color palette that captures the celebratory and community-focused spirit of ASU's new baker-in-residence program.ASU's new baker-in-residence program aims to use the power of bread-making to unite the Tempe community and explore important issues.Tempe Today

Arizona State University in Tempe has named James Beard Award–winning baker Don Guerra as its first baker-in-residence, bringing his community-focused breadmaking to campus. Guerra will lead 'Bread Without Borders' lectures and collaborate with ASU's health programs, using bread to explore food systems, agriculture, and entrepreneurship while connecting students to local grains and Valley restaurants.

Why it matters

The baker-in-residence program is part of ASU's efforts to engage the local Tempe community and use food as a way to bring people together. Guerra's focus on using bread as a medium for education and connection aligns with the university's mission to be a force for positive change in the region.

The details

As the baker-in-residence, Guerra will lead workshops, lectures, and collaborative projects that leverage bread-making to explore topics like sustainable agriculture, food entrepreneurship, and community health. He will work closely with ASU's health and nutrition programs to incorporate bread into curriculum and research. Additionally, Guerra plans to connect students with local grain producers and restaurants to build relationships and showcase the diversity of the Valley's food ecosystem.

  • Guerra was named ASU's first baker-in-residence in April 2026.
  • He will begin his residency in the fall 2026 semester.

The players

Don Guerra

A James Beard Award-winning baker who has been named ASU's first baker-in-residence, bringing his community-focused breadmaking to the Tempe campus.

Arizona State University

The university in Tempe, Arizona that has launched a new baker-in-residence program, selecting Don Guerra as its first participant.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to welcome Don Guerra to ASU as our first baker-in-residence. His passion for using bread as a way to connect people and explore important issues aligns perfectly with our goals of engaging the local community and driving positive change.”

— Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University

What’s next

In the coming months, ASU will announce the full schedule of 'Bread Without Borders' lectures and workshops led by Don Guerra as part of his baker-in-residence program.

The takeaway

ASU's new baker-in-residence program demonstrates the university's commitment to using food and community-focused initiatives to bring people together and drive positive change in Tempe. By tapping into the power of bread-making, the program aims to explore important topics like sustainability, entrepreneurship, and public health in an accessible and engaging way.