PRESS RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Lauren Kochian

President

laurenkochian@most.org

(315) 425-9068, x 2122 – office

(315) 727-8633 – cell

MOST and Micron Launch New STEM Fellowship Program

Syracuse, NY, 30 October 2025 –The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) and the Micron Foundation today announced the launch of Micron Teacher Fellowship at the MOST, a hands-on STEM program designed to inspire and support the next generation of innovators in Central New York.

The new initiative—a first of its kind for the Central New York (CNY) community and made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Micron Foundation — will fund year-long fellowships for two Central New York STEM educators. Fellows, who will also continue in their full-time positions with area school districts during the course of their fellowship, will deliver programming and provide support in the areas of semiconductor and STEM education at K-12 schools, MOST programs and exhibits, and other key community events. 

The program’s inaugural fellows, Alexis Williams from Syracuse and Brian Heffron from Clay, were selected for their leadership in STEM education and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of innovators in CNY. 

Williams is a technology educator at North Syracuse Central School District, where she has led hands-on STEM and robotics instruction for middle and high school students. Williams has played a key role in developing curriculum for the Advanced Technology Framework, a ground-breaking curriculum development partnership between Micron and educators’ unions that aims to broaden STEM and Career and Technical Education offerings in New York state. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from SUNY Albany. 

Formerly an instructor and principal at Oswego County P-TECH, Heffron is the Administrator of Workforce Development and Community Relations at CiTi BOCES, where he leads county-wide STEM and workforce readiness initiatives. With more than 14 years of experience in career and technical education, he has developed numerous STEM programs for local K-12 students. Heffron holds degrees from Middle Tennessee State University, The College of Saint Rose, and Le Moyne College, and is also certified as a New York State School District Leader.

“Micron’s partnership with the MOST, which began in 2023, has already introduced semiconductors and advanced manufacturing in an engaging and accessible way to tens of thousands of Central New York students,” said April Arnzen, executive vice president and chief people officer at Micron and president of the Micron Foundation. “This new fellowship program will afford young people in the region even more opportunities to learn, explore, and see a future for themselves in the semiconductor industry by engaging with leaders already known in the academic community.”

This fellowship expands the growing partnership between Micron and the MOST and reflects a shared mission to prepare students for careers in the rapidly expanding semiconductor industry in CNY. Most notably, the 1,500 square foot interactive DECONSTRUCTED exhibit presented by Micron is a guide through the hidden world of microchips and how they power the world around us. The MOST and Micron also have partnered to present programming such as Micron’s nation-leading Going Tech and Chip Camp offerings for area children. 

 “The Micron Fellowship at the MOST is another example of how Central New York is leading the way in building the workforce of the future,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. This partnership will ignite curiosity, inspire innovation, and ensure that young people from our region see themselves in the high-tech careers driving our economy forward.”

“This fellowship program is about making STEM both exciting and accessible [relatable] for young people in Central New York,” said Rosita Najmi, head of global social impact and community engagement at Micron, and executive director of the Micron Foundation. “We want students to see themselves in these STEM careers, and we believe the MOST, and these local, trusted and seasoned educators and subject matter experts are the ideal partners to make that vision a reality.”

“This is a transformational moment for STEM education in our region,” said Lauren Kochian, President of the MOST. “These fellowships will help us reach more students and deliver unforgettable experiences that make STEM come alive around their communities, and within the walls of the MOST. We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Micron on this groundbreaking initiative.” 

For more information on the fellowships at the MOST, visit most.org/micron. 

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