White House Author

William Spitzer, Ph.D., is Vice President for Programs, Exhibits and Planning at the New England Aquarium. He is responsible for oversight of exhibit design, visitor experience, volunteer, and education programs as well as institutional strategic planning. The Aquarium is redefining what it means to be an aquarium: combining education, entertainment and action to address the most challenging problems facing the ocean. Through a wide variety of educational programs and conservation initiatives, we make a lasting impact globally. We work to develop the next generation of ocean stewards through a variety of programs that combine learning, service, and stewardship while focusing on key issues such as climate change and habitat protection. These efforts include immersive experiential learning and citizen science opportunities for youth; workplace learning and career development for teens; volunteer service and stewardship programs for adults; and interpretation and communication training for staff. All involve a range of collaborations and capacity building initiatives with other organizations in Boston, New England, and across the United States.