Milwaukee Academy of Science: Selects Anthony McHenry as next CEO

Milwaukee Academy of Science Selects Anthony McHenry as next CEO

Milwaukee, WI, March 23, 2016 – The Milwaukee Academy of Science, one of the state’s largest independent charter schools, announced today it has selected Anthony McHenry as the STEM school’s next CEO. MAS serves about 1,000 students, predominantly African-American children, in grades K4 through 12.

McHenry, a 2016 Donald Driver Driven to Achieve Award winner, comes to MAS after nearly 20 years with the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center where he most recently was the nonprofit’s executive director. The nonprofit is located in Westlawn, Wisconsin’s largest public housing development, and serves more than 8,000 individuals each year guiding participants to self-sufficiency. McHenry joined Silver Spring in 1997 and later served as vice principal and director of youth development. In 2005, he became assistant executive director and assumed the executive director role in 2013.

“Anthony is a proven leader with the right skills and passion to help make MAS the ‘School of Choice’ in Milwaukee – a highly successful STEM school where students have the opportunity to become something special in our society,” said MAS Board Chair Mike Jones. “We are excited to have found someone of Anthony’s character and capabilities. He is committed to ensuring that MAS children will learn at high levels with leaders, teachers and parents working together on their behalf. ”

MAS’s search committee and board members cited a number of important skills that McHenry brings including strategic thinking, building high performance teams, fund raising and communications. Most importantly, McHenry demonstrated his rigorous expectations for student success throughout the interview process.

“I am both honored and humbled to join the Milwaukee Academy of Science Board of Directors, staff, partners and families in doing Milwaukee’s most important work — providing our children with the highest quality educational experience,” McHenry said. “My passion for ensuring high quality education for urban children and providing the resources, hope and skills needed for life long success is what attracted me to this position. MAS’ STEM focus and partnerships will prepare our children to be leaders in tomorrow’s workforce. “

In addition to his work at Silver Spring, McHenry has served in a number of leadership positions for civic programs and task forces including as a member of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s Task Force on Poverty, co-chair of the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and chair of Milwaukee’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Network.

“As we got to know Anthony and reviewed his experience and results, we knew we had to quickly hire this incredible leader, said Chris Layden, who chaired the search committee for MAS. “We look forward to him as our next CEO and know he has the right skills and attributes to bring together students, staff, parents and community members to ensure the success of each MAS student.”

McHenry is a graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993. He attended UW on an athletic scholarship, is a former Scholastic All American and was a member of the 1994 Rose Bowl Championship football team.

McHenry will start at MAS later this spring.

CONTACT:

Mike Jones, MAS Board Chair, 608-332-1103