2-16-2018
SPI Names Stephanie Calondis Geiger New Executive Director
SPI - Where Science and Play Intersect - is pleased to announce that Stephanie Calondis Geiger has been named Executive Director. Stephanie joins SPI with over seventeen years experience in the civic sector, specializing in youth leadership development, project-based service learning, and community engagement. She holds a degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
“I enjoy listening to and observing what other community members are hoping to accomplish and finding those sweet spots where different organizations' priorities overlap,” Geiger said. "I look forward to doing this at SPI.”
Stephanie will lead SPI’s growing team of dedicated science play advocates at the Wright Center. In addition, she will be spearheading SPI’s development and marketing efforts to expand SPI’s mission of enhancing the Knox County community by bringing people of all ages together to explore science and technology through play.
Stephanie will be responsible for working closely with our board of directors, staff and volunteers to ensure SPI’s continued contributions to the community fabric and build its long term sustainability. SPI will introduce Stephanie at SPI After Sundown, SPI’s FUNdraiser, Friday, February 23 (740-398-8643). The public is welcome to attend this event. Stephanie will begin her new duties February 26.
Rachel Garcia, founder and current Executive Director, will continue her involvement with SPI as it’s new Educational Program Director. In this role, she will create programs and activities to enhance informal science education inside and outside SPI’s new space at the Wright Center. “SPI truly becomes a successful and sustainable organization when it can function without its founder in the lead, and I am very excited that we are ready to take this step by bringing on Stephanie. I look forward to focusing my efforts on using SPI’s resources to enhance science engagement as a part of lifelong learning in our community.”
Andrea White, SPI board president, said, “The board is excited about this leadership transition and are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to lead our continued growth as an organization. As SPI expands its science play opportunities in the community, it requires the vision and leadership of many people to achieve lasting innovation and growth.”
Stephanie is a native of Mount Vernon and is very happy to be making her way back to Knox County. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and develop new initiatives on behalf of our region's children." She and her husband Jesse both graduated from Mount Vernon High School and look forward to returning with their two young sons.
SPI: Where Science and Play Intersect: Founded in 2011, SPI provides play opportunities to learn about science, both in their dedicated play-space and at many community events. SPI recently opened it’s specially designed space with new exhibits for all ages in the renovated Wright Center at 400 South Main Street, Mount Vernon. SPI is an institutional member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), and SPI members receive free admission to institutions worldwide through the ASTC Passport Program. To learn more, visit www.spi-mountvernon.org.
SPI Names Stephanie Calondis Geiger New Executive Director
SPI - Where Science and Play Intersect - is pleased to announce that Stephanie Calondis Geiger has been named Executive Director. Stephanie joins SPI with over seventeen years experience in the civic sector, specializing in youth leadership development, project-based service learning, and community engagement. She holds a degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
“I enjoy listening to and observing what other community members are hoping to accomplish and finding those sweet spots where different organizations' priorities overlap,” Geiger said. "I look forward to doing this at SPI.”
Stephanie will lead SPI’s growing team of dedicated science play advocates at the Wright Center. In addition, she will be spearheading SPI’s development and marketing efforts to expand SPI’s mission of enhancing the Knox County community by bringing people of all ages together to explore science and technology through play.
Stephanie will be responsible for working closely with our board of directors, staff and volunteers to ensure SPI’s continued contributions to the community fabric and build its long term sustainability. SPI will introduce Stephanie at SPI After Sundown, SPI’s FUNdraiser, Friday, February 23 (740-398-8643). The public is welcome to attend this event. Stephanie will begin her new duties February 26.
Rachel Garcia, founder and current Executive Director, will continue her involvement with SPI as it’s new Educational Program Director. In this role, she will create programs and activities to enhance informal science education inside and outside SPI’s new space at the Wright Center. “SPI truly becomes a successful and sustainable organization when it can function without its founder in the lead, and I am very excited that we are ready to take this step by bringing on Stephanie. I look forward to focusing my efforts on using SPI’s resources to enhance science engagement as a part of lifelong learning in our community.”
Andrea White, SPI board president, said, “The board is excited about this leadership transition and are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to lead our continued growth as an organization. As SPI expands its science play opportunities in the community, it requires the vision and leadership of many people to achieve lasting innovation and growth.”
Stephanie is a native of Mount Vernon and is very happy to be making her way back to Knox County. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and develop new initiatives on behalf of our region's children." She and her husband Jesse both graduated from Mount Vernon High School and look forward to returning with their two young sons.
SPI: Where Science and Play Intersect: Founded in 2011, SPI provides play opportunities to learn about science, both in their dedicated play-space and at many community events. SPI recently opened it’s specially designed space with new exhibits for all ages in the renovated Wright Center at 400 South Main Street, Mount Vernon. SPI is an institutional member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), and SPI members receive free admission to institutions worldwide through the ASTC Passport Program. To learn more, visit www.spi-mountvernon.org.