By
Blake Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Alexis Faust will oversee Flandrau's move to Rio Nuevo
Alexis Faust has been selected to lead the Fladrau Science Center off the University of Arizona campus.
The UA College of Science announced last week that Faust, current interim director, will officially become the new Flandrau Science Center director on Oct. 30.
Faust, who has been acting head of the center since July 1, said she is very excited about the future of Flandrau.
"We have lots of plans," she said. "I'm very excited about directing Flandrau now on campus and excited about our future at Rio Nuevo."
Joaquin Ruiz, dean of the UA College of Science, said Faust is the right person to lead the center downtown.
"She has a good vision of what a science center should be," Ruiz said.
In fact, Faust was the only candidate for the position of Flandrau director.
"Alexis was so impressive and received overwhelming support from the staff," he added.
Within the next couple of years, the Flandrau Science Center will move some of its staff and programs from the University of Arizona campus to the Rio Nuevo Project site.
A new 100,000-square-foot facility, complete with an observatory, will house the science center. The new center will incorporate four major themes - life, earth, technology and space.
Faust said that Flandrau will always have close ties with the university, even when the Rio Nuevo location is established.
"One of the interesting things we hope to have are opportunities for students," she added. "We want to incorporate more student orientated programs and possible internships."
Since the center is moving into the Tucson community, Faust said it will begin to focus more on the educational needs of children and the general public.
"One of the most significant things about Flandrau and the new center is that we're going to work on strengthening ties with community to find out what needs to be done," she added.
The center is working to expand educational programs and looking into the possibility of after-school programs. Flandrau already has a program called "Science to Go," which takes scientists into local classrooms to educate kids and their teachers.
Patty Bosco, Flandrau Science Center business manager, also said Faust is the right person to lead the center to its new location.
"She knows she can't do it alone and has an uncanny knack for seeking out people with massive experience that will help plan the monumental effort," Bosco added.
Faust has management experience that helps her relate to the staff, she said.
"Her management style is inclusive," Bosco added. "Alexis has involved the staff in all the decisions. She is extremely well-liked and has a great vision (for the future of Flandrau)."
Faust may have an advantage over some of her colleagues as far as educating the general public about the sciences. While she has worked with science nearly all of her professional career, Faust received English and philosophy degrees in college.
"The mission of the center is to help with the science literacy of the community," Faust said. "Almost having a non-scientist viewpoint is better."
Bosco agreed that Faust's educational background may actually help Flandrau in the long run.
"I think this institution has to be diverse," she said. "It has to draw upon people with diverse expertise and education."
Ruiz said Faust's post-college experience gave her the edge for the job.
"Even though her degrees are not in science, she has significant experience dealing with science outreach issues," he said.
Before becoming interim director, Faust worked in the College of Science as director of special projects.
During that time, Faust implemented a professional master's degree program for math, physics and biological science majors.
"Our first class of students are here this fall," she said.
Faust's first job in Arizona was as associate director of public education for the Columbia University's Biosphere 2 in Oracle.
Ruiz added that there has been a transformation at Flandrau Science Center since Faust became interim director in July.
"I am pleased to see the work," he said.
