Sarah Prescott

About Sarah Prescott

Executive leader advancing sustainability, science education, and mission-driven organizationsI’m a mission-driven executive who helps organizations and national learning networks grow, adapt, and deliver lasting public impact in sustainability and science education. I bring a collaborative, systems-oriented approach to strategy, partnerships, and organizational design, and I genuinely enjoy bringing smart, curious people together to do meaningful work.As Executive Director of BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium, I led the organization through a major strategic transition following the sunset of its primary federal funding. Working with staff, volunteers, and the board, we stabilized finances, diversified funding, expanded partnerships, and implemented a distributed leadership model grounded in transparency and shared ownership. BioQUEST continues to support national communities of educators advancing systems thinking, sustainability, and open science education.I also serve as Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of New Hampshire, where my teaching and scholarship focus on green chemistry, sustainability, and systems-based STEM education.Beyond these roles, I contribute to national conversations on science education and sustainability through scientific societies and collaborative initiatives. I serve as a Council Member in Section Q (Education) of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and work with the American Chemical Society on Faculty Mentoring Networks that support educators integrating sustainability and green chemistry into undergraduate science education.I’m energized by thoughtful strategy, strong partnerships, and the creative spark that comes from bringing mission-driven people together. If you\'re working at the intersection of sustainability, science, and public impact, I’d be glad to connect.KeywordsSustainability leadership • Nonprofit strategy • Strategic planning • Organizational development • Systems thinking • Network leadership • Partnership development • Cross-sector collaboration • Board governance • Funding strategy • STEM education reform • Higher education innovation • Green chemistry • Environmental sustainability • Faculty mentoring • Learning networks • Scientific integrity • Mission-driven organizations • Public impact • Organizational sustainability • Distributed leadership • Ecosystem building • National networks • Collaborative leadership • Research-informed education

Experience

1. President and Executive Director

   Bioquest Curriculum Consortium, Inc

   Jan 2021 — Present

   Lead a national nonprofit advancing sustainability, environmental responsibility, open education, and systems thinking in STEM. Provide strategic direction across governance, funding, partnerships, and program portfolios supporting faculty development, green chemistry education, and inclusive scientific communities.• Strengthened long-term financial sustainability by diversifying revenue streams, building multi-year funding strategies, and stewarding a $1.12M grant portfolio supporting national STEM education initiatives.• Led organizational transition and structural redesign, aligning board governance, distributed leadership, and operational systems to ensure adaptive capacity and mission continuity.• Expanded national impact and equity by launching programs that increase access to open educational resources and community-driven curricula across higher education institutions.• Built and formalized strategic partnerships with the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute (ACS-GCI), Beyond Benign, and national STEM networks to scale faculty mentoring networks and sustainability-focused teaching practices.• Represent BioQUEST in national forums including NABT, ASM-CUE, and National Academies convenings, advancing cross-sector collaborations that connect sustainability, systems thinking, environmental health awareness, and evidence-based pedagogy.Result: a resilient, mission-driven organization with strengthened governance, diversified capital, and national partnerships capable of sustaining inclusive STEM education transformation at scale.

Education

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

  Bachelor of Science (BS)

• University of New Hampshire

  M.Ed.

• University of New Hampshire

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)