SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) has named Lauren Kochian its new president, effective Wednesday.
Kochian is the fourth president of the MOST and second woman to lead the museum, the organization said in a news release.
The MOST, located at 500 S. Franklin St. in Syracuse, describes itself as a “hands-on science and technology museum for all ages.”
Kochian has been serving as the MOST’s interim president since the resignation of former president, Toni Martin, on June 21. Prior to her appointment as interim president, Kochian served as the organization’s executive VP since May 2016. She has more than 18 years of fund development, marketing, and public-relations experience, the MOST said.
“Stepping into the role of MOST president is very exciting,” Kochian said. “The MOST is such an important STEM educational resource, and a place to inspire the love of learning and discovery in our children. I look forward to advancing the museum’s vision for our community.” STEM is short for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Besides Kochian’s work at the MOST, she previously handled marketing and development duties for Arc of Onondaga and Syracuse Stage. She also worked in public relations for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. Kochian also serves on the board of GiGi’s Playhouse, an organization that describes itself as “down syndrome achievement centers.”
“We look forward to working with Lauren to fulfill our vision as the preeminent science center for CNY. We have the utmost confidence that the MOST will thrive and continue to offer outstanding educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math under Lauren’s leadership,” Howard Hollander, chair of the search committee and chair of the board of trustees, said in the MOST news release.
A Syracuse native, Kochian is a graduate of the East Syracuse Minoa Central High School. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a master’s degree in media management from the Newhouse School and Syracuse’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com