With a career spanning over 30 years, Todd Slisher has been at the forefront of science education, lending his passion and expertise to the Flint community for the last decade. He spent the previous 13 years at the Detroit Science Center/Michigan Science Center, where he held pivotal roles including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Science Programs, developing and overseeing innovative science experiences. He also managed museum programs in Memphis, TN and Columbia, SC.
A passionate educator and creator, Slisher has authored and directed numerous planetarium programs that are now in distribution worldwide. His influence extends into the community, as he serves on boards and committees like the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network, the UM-Flint Citizens Advisory Board and formerly, as President of the Flint Cultural Center Academy Board. Professionally, he is actively involved in organizations such as the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the International Planetarium Association (IPS).
With Bachelor’s degrees in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Michigan and graduate studies in Public Administration at Wayne State University, Slisher’s expertise enriches every initiative he leads, making him a pivotal force in the world of science education and local cultural engagement. We’ll bet you didn’t know that Slisher is also a co-discoverer of the Hamburg/Michigan Meteorite! He agreed to share a few more fun facts … read on!
1.When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?
The first thing I remember really wanting to be was back in grade school: I wanted to be an astronaut – probably a pretty typical thing back then. Growing up in the ‘70s at the tail end of the Apollo missions and then, after the launch of the Space Shuttle in the early ‘80s, astronauts were heroes! I never got to space, but I did get to take a ride in a Zero-G “Vomit Comet”. It’s a modified 747 aircraft they use to train astronauts to function in weightlessness. As the aircraft dives, you experience about a minute of weightlessness at a time. It was quite the experience, and no, I didn’t throw up – but a bunch of others on the plane definitely lost it!
2. What was your very first job?
My first paying job was delivering newspapers for the Grand Rapids Press. I believe I was about 11 years old at the time and did that for about four years. In those days, newspapers were delivered to all the neighborhood housing by kids on bikes (like me). It taught me about finances, because I had to collect dues from the residents, as well. It was a couple of miles of bike-riding each day, which wasn’t too bad unless the weather was lousy, or it was snowing. In my last year, I managed to save enough money to buy a used snowmobile for making my winter deliveries.
3. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
For this one, I’ll need to go back to Easter with my Ukrainian Grandmother. My grandparents had the tradition of cracking eggs after the Easter dinner. Everyone at the table would get a hard-boiled, colored egg. Then, you would turn to the person next to you and using your egg, try to crack theirs by tapping it sharply on the end. You could try on each end of the egg, so everyone got at least two chances. The person at the table who ended up with at least one uncracked end of their egg was the winner. In the old country, the winner got to keep everyone else’s eggs, which were precious. We just did it for fun.
4. What task do you most often procrastinate about doing?
Filing paperwork, a very dull and boring task. Generally, I’ll have a pile from the last two weeks or so and then finally, reluctantly take some time to go through the pile and either discard or file them away in the correct place. It’s something I’ve gotten better at during the years, so I don’t let it pile up as much as I used to, but I still can’t seem to develop the habit of getting it done before leaving work for the day.
5. Describe your average weekend.
When it’s warm outside, there’s a bit of yard work to do and some downtime with family. My wife, teenage sons and I are fortunate enough to live on a lake, so there is probably swimming or boating involved. Many weekend evenings are spent attending a local event, particularly charity fundraisers or an occasional show. I love to take long weekend trips, so we might head out of town somewhere, up north or near Lake Michigan.
6. How do you think your friends would describe you?
If they were being generous, they would probably say kind, reliable, adventurous and occasionally amusing. Of course, most of my friends love to rib each other, so their actual comments probably wouldn’t be as kind. I’m typically not the life of the party, but easy to hang around with, share a glass or two of wine and engage in some fun banter.
7. You’ve been at Sloan Longway for a decade now. What has been the best thing about your career in Flint so far?
Definitely my coworkers and colleagues – we have a fantastic team. The people I work with every day are incredibly dedicated to our mission and to the institution. Everyone strives to serve our community in unique ways, which sets us apart from many typical workplaces. It’s not just about a paycheck – each person is passionate about their role. They bring creativity, knowledge, and a fun energy that makes them a joy to be around.
My wife, teenage sons and I are fortunate enough to live on a lake, so there is probably swimming or boating involved.
On a personal note, my museum career in planetaria (the plural of planetarium) began over 34 years ago. While my career has evolved into various roles, including my current administrative position, I love revisiting my roots from time to time. It’s a special treat to step back into the planetarium and give a presentation or lecture. I’m fortunate to have Michigan’s largest and most advanced planetarium right across the street from my office – it’s a source of pride and inspiration!
