BOSTON, MA – Ioannis (Yannis) N. Miaoulis, President and Director of the Museum of Science, who guided the institution’s transformation to a global resource for STEM education and oversaw the largest capital campaign in its history, will leave his post on January 31. The Museum made the announcement in December.

Originally from Greece, Miaoulis, the former Dean of the School of Engineering at Tufts University, came to the Museum in 2003 following David Ellis’ 12-year tenure. Current and former chairs have recommended that the Museum’s Board of Trustees award Miaoulis the honorary title of President Emeritus in recognition of his many contributions and years of service. Chief Operating Officer Wayne Bouchard will assume the role of Interim President and Director during the transition period.

According to Miaoulis, his 15th anniversary celebration at the Museum earlier this year presented an opportunity for reflection on both his contributions to the Museum and long-term professional goals. “I realized that this is a natural time to step away and focus on the next phase of my career,” he said in the news release announcing his departure. “I take pride in our many accomplishments to advance scientific and technological literacy around the world and look forward to new challenges. I have every confidence that the Museum team will bring to life the ambitious and exciting vision we created together.”

Rick Burnes, former Chair of the Board of Trustees, notes, “For the past 16 years, Yannis has brought bold ideas and forged partnerships that have reinforced the Museum’s role as a global STEM leader, both in classrooms across the country and around the world. On behalf of our Board, I thank Yannis for his many contributions to the Museum. We look forward to building on the foundation of his legacy to usher in the next phase of transformative growth.”

“We are delighted and honored that Yannis has agreed to serve in an advisory capacity during the transition,” said Gwill York, Chair of the Board of Trustees. York also acknowledged the significant role Miaoulis played in preparing the Museum for its next chapter. “With a talented senior management team in place, we are in a strong position to implement the 10-year Master Plan, which includes a reimagined Blue Wing, new permanent and traveling exhibits, computer science curricula and the launch of a major capital campaign. The Museum of Science is well positioned for success during this important new phase in its history.”

During his tenure, Miaoulis established the National Center for Technological Literacy (NCTL), directed the development of the world’s leading engineering pre-K – 12 curricula and worked closely with donors, foundations and government agencies to raise more than $470 million to support essential programs, exhibits and initiatives.

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2016 $50 million gift ensured that generations to come will be inspired— just as Michael Bloomberg was— by the Museum and its offerings with the establishment of the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center.

Miaoulis oversaw the development of record-breaking exhibits such as Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination and The Science Behind Pixar which continue to reach and influence audiences in cities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He has advocated for a national technology and engineering literacy assessment administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Since that time, the Museum’s NCTL team has worked with the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) and others in developing the NAEP Technology and Engineering Literacy Assessment. In 2015 the Museum and NCTL received the National Science Board’s Public Service Award.

An active and engaged leader who is widely recognized for his work in STEM education, Miaoulis is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In 2018, Miaoulis was named one of the 100 most influential people in Boston, by Boston Magazine.

More information is available online: www.mos.org/about-us/ioannis-miaoulis.