Students 2 Science Taps Insider to Steer Next Wave of STEM Growth

WHIPPANY, N.J. – August 03, 2026 – In a move that signals both continuity and a clear strategy for expansion, the nonprofit Students 2 Science (S2S) has announced the appointment of Dan Barnett as its new Executive Director. Effective September 1, Barnett will succeed co-founder Dr. Paul A. Winslow, who transitions from President to a strategic role on the Board of Trustees after 17 years at the helm.

For any organization, especially a mission-driven nonprofit, a founder's succession is a critical moment. It can be a point of vulnerability or, as appears to be the case here, a powerful signal of organizational maturity and momentum. By promoting Barnett, the organization's Chief Development Officer for the past five years, S2S is not just changing leaders; it's executing a deliberate succession plan designed to amplify its impact on STEM education across New Jersey.

A Calculated Transition for Continuity and Growth

The appointment of an internal candidate is a significant growth signal. It indicates a healthy leadership pipeline and a culture that develops its own talent. Barnett is a known quantity, not just to the board, but to the staff, partners, and donors who are the lifeblood of the organization. His five-year tenure as CDO was not a passive one; he was a key architect of the very growth he is now tasked with leading.

His track record includes spearheading the launch of the Career Advancement Program (CAP), a critical initiative connecting high school students with real-world STEM career pathways, and overseeing the opening of the new Apollo Technology Center in Whippany. These are not minor accomplishments; they are foundational pillars of the organization's current and future strategy. As noted by Board Chair Karnel Walker, the decision was unanimous, reflecting deep confidence in Barnett's ability to steer the ship.

"The Board's unanimous decision reflects our confidence that Dan is the right leader to guide Students 2 Science into its next chapter," Walker stated in the announcement. "He brings a deep commitment to our mission, strong relationships with our partners and supporters, and a clear understanding of the organization's programs, people, and growth opportunities."

This is the language of a deliberate, strategic choice. Walker’s emphasis on Barnett providing "both continuity and the leadership needed to expand" underscores the dual mandate: preserve the foundational mission while aggressively pursuing new opportunities. Barnett's experience in fundraising and organizational growth is precisely what S2S needs to ensure its long-term sustainability and scale its proven model.

Building on a Founder's Legacy

To understand where S2S is going, one must appreciate where it came from. Dr. Paul A. Winslow, a scientist with 15 U.S. patents, co-founded the organization in 2009 with a vision to demystify science and build a more diverse, equitable workforce. Under his 17-year leadership, S2S grew from a concept into a powerhouse of STEM education, reaching over 350,000 students through partnerships with more than 200 schools and community organizations.

Dr. Winslow’s transition to the Board of Trustees is another positive signal. It ensures his invaluable experience and institutional memory remain an asset to the organization, providing strategic guidance without overshadowing new operational leadership. This model of a founder 'stepping aside, not away' is a hallmark of successful nonprofit transitions.

"I am excited to step aside as President of Students 2 Science and continue in a leadership role as a member of the Board of Trustees," Dr. Winslow commented. "I am proud of what we have accomplished over the past 18 years and have the utmost confidence in the operational team's ability to drive the Mission and Vision of S2S."

His legacy is not just in the numbers, but in the physical and programmatic infrastructure he helped build—the state-of-the-art technology centers in Newark and Whippany that provide students with authentic, hands-on lab experiences often missing in their own schools.

Fueling New Jersey's STEM Pipeline

S2S’s work is critically important within the broader New Jersey economic landscape. The organization directly addresses the persistent need for a skilled STEM workforce by targeting students, particularly those in underserved communities, from grades 3 through 12. Its programs are designed to do more than just teach science; they are built to inspire careers.

Programs like ISAAC (Improving Student Affinity and Aptitude for Careers in STEM) and the virtual V-Lab align curriculum with Next Generation Science Standards and connect classroom learning to industries like biotechnology, engineering, and healthcare. The goal is to illuminate a path from a school science experiment to a future profession.

This is most evident in the Career Advancement Program (CAP) that Barnett helped establish. Designed for high schoolers, CAP moves beyond exposure to direct engagement, offering job shadowing, corporate mentoring, and internship placement support. By connecting students with professionals in fields from computer science to alternate energy, S2S is actively building the state's next generation of innovators and closing the opportunity gap for students who might otherwise be left behind.

The Apollo Center: A Launchpad for Future Impact

The most tangible symbol of S2S's momentum is the new Apollo Technology Center in Whippany. The center, a key project under Barnett's development leadership, effectively doubles the organization's programming space and serves as a launchpad for its next chapter. It is the physical manifestation of the organization's growth ambitions.

The facility is more than just another building. It houses dedicated labs for new elementary school programs, a production studio for virtual offerings, and expanded space for middle and high school STEM days. Starting in 2026, it will host immersive STEM summer camps and provide flex space for workforce training, extending its impact beyond K-12 students to the broader community.

This expansion is supported by a formidable $10 million campaign aimed at developing new programs and expanding outreach. The explicit goal is to reach more of the estimated 500,000 students in New Jersey who are in need of educational support. As Executive Director, Dan Barnett is not just inheriting an organization; he is taking command of a growth engine, with the Apollo Center as its powerful new core. His challenge—and opportunity—is to harness this momentum to ensure every student in New Jersey has a chance to build the future.