News
September 6, 2017miSci President Dr. William Sudduth to Step Down, as Trustees Begin National Search for New President to Lead Museum’s Next Phase of Growth
miSci today announced that its Board of Trustees has accepted the transition of the museum’s current President, Dr. William “Mac” Sudduth, who has served in the role for five years. The museum’s Board of Trustees has appointed a special committee to conduct the national search for Dr. Sudduth’s successor, and Dr. Sudduth will remain President until January 1, 2018, to ensure stability in transition to new leadership of the museum.
Dr. Sudduth came out of retirement in 2012 to lead miSci, bringing 40 years of museum leadership experience to the role. Hired on the heels of the museum’s strategic shift of vision and mission to become a regional science center, Dr. Sudduth’s proven ability to lead institutions through significant transformations made him the ideal choice for President of the new Museum of Innovation and Science, i.e. miSci. True to his record, Dr. Sudduth’s tenure at miSci is replete with notable accomplishments.
“As a long-time miSci Trustee, and a member of the search committee that hired Dr. Sudduth in 2012, I could not be prouder of our decision. Dr. Sudduth has proven to be the leader we’d hoped for, and the President miSci needed, to become the leading regional science center it is today,” said trustee Dr. Bradley Lewis. “The trustees are grateful to Dr. Sudduth for his countless contributions to the success and growth of miSci and his desire to remain involved in the museum’s future endeavors, and we are excited to find the next leader to continue the momentum he has built within the staff and organization.”
Under Sudduth’s leadership, miSci has experienced explosive growth in attendance and membership, seeing an increase of more than 500% and 100%, respectively. Museum earned revenue has grown dramatically as miSci’s exhibits, educational programs and partnerships have expanded through his direction. Dr. Sudduth was responsible for introducing dynamic seasonal exhibits and special events – now favorites of miSci members and patrons – such as the indoor butterfly house, robotic dinosaurs, and the Science Festival of the Capital Region. Audience-specific programs like SenseAble Science for children with autism and their families, the Explainers workforce development program for inner-city youth, and Teen Science Café for high schoolers were all introduced under Sudduth’s leadership. Additionally, facility expansions such as the opening of the Challenger Learning Center at miSci, the renovation and upgrade of the museum’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium, and the relocation of Dudley Observatory to miSci were all completed under his presidency.
“The changes we have made in miSci over the past five years are the result of the efforts of our dedicated board, staff, volunteers, donors and supporters,” says Sudduth. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help make a difference, and I am excited about helping the new miSci President move us through the next phase of our big vision.”
The committee of miSci trustees will commence a comprehensive national search for a new President immediately, and Dr. Sudduth will remain President until January 1, 2018, helping to onboard his successor. Upon stepping down as President, Dr. Sudduth will transition to a new role at miSci, providing guidance, support and oversight of strategic expansion ventures including an Arboretum project at Mohawk Harbor, an expansion into adjacent historic Vale Park and the launch of a new exhibit program, along with other programs.
“miSci is eager to find its next leader, another hard-working visionary who can continue the momentum we’ve generated with Dr. Sudduth at the helm. The museum has arrived at precisely the situation the Trustees had envisioned when Dr. Sudduth was hired, having positioned miSci as the region’s leading science center at a time when STEM awareness and education is a high public priority,” said Board of Trustees President Tony Farah. “Our next leader will step into an organization poised for even more exciting growth.”
Candidates interested in pursuing the President position should send resumes to resumes@misci.org
