LAUREL, Miss. – Central Creativity, a leading provider of interactive, hands-on learning solutions, has named Dr. Clint Coleman as its new CEO. Coleman, who holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Tulane University and previously led Louisiana's statewide STEM network (LASTEM), brings a unique combination of scientific research credentials, educational innovation and workforce development expertise to the role. His vision is to scale Central Creativity's franchise model nationally while deepening the company's connection between classroom learning and real-world career opportunities.

Before transitioning to education, Coleman conducted groundbreaking research, including sending payloads aboard the International Space Station, studying bacterial behavior in microgravity and contributing to research published in the academic journal “Science” on the origins of HIV. In 2010, he transitioned to Louisiana's higher education system, progressing from community college faculty to administration and eventually to state-level leadership, consistently focusing on connecting education with real workforce opportunities throughout his career.

"I first partnered with Rhye and Jenny McLeod and their team at Central Creativity in 2019 for a summer camp series while I was Dean of STEM at Fletcher Technical Community College in Schriever, Louisiana," Coleman said. "Over the years, we collaborated on several STEM initiatives, and I saw firsthand the impact their approach was having on students and educators. When the CEO opportunity arose, it was an easy decision. I wanted to dedicate myself full-time to expanding this work nationally."

As Program Administrator for Louisiana's STEM network (LASTEM), Coleman oversaw nine Regional STEM Centers across the state, securing millions in stable annual funding and successfully managing grants and federal appropriations that reached thousands of students through scaled statewide programming. His work included managing innovative industry partnerships and programs that connected students directly to career pathways. These experiences reinforced what Coleman learned in the classroom: the difference between educational products that transform learning and those that simply take up shelf space.

“Many other vendors are simply selling a widget,” he said. “Unless you have the professional development behind the product to help teach educators how to use it, you’re probably going to sell something that just ends up sitting in a closet. We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support that gives teachers their time back while delivering genuine learning outcomes.”

Central Creativity’s model emphasizes local community presence and direct connections to the workforce and a range of career opportunities. Through partnerships with national leaders like NASA and NAPA Auto Parts, Central Creativity provides hands-on learning experiences, like building saltwater cars, that expose students to realistic career paths, creating invaluable “Aha! moments.”

“We help connect students to opportunities they never knew existed,” Coleman said. 

As he looks toward the future of Central Creativity, Coleman aims to scale the franchise nationally, ensuring these resources and opportunities reach more communities across the country.

"In the next decade, I want to see franchise owners from coast to coast who are deeply embedded in their communities," Coleman said. "We're not just scaling a business, we're driving a fundamental shift in how young people understand and access workforce opportunities. Every child deserves to see themself in a career they're excited about."

ABOUT CENTRAL CREATIVITY

Founded in 2017, Central Creativity is an industry leader dedicated to making learning approachable, engaging and equitable. Utilizing a unique business model, the company provides a turnkey solution for franchise owners to deliver hands-on STEM and STEAM education directly to their communities. The brand’s flagship offering, "Classroom TO GO," features all-inclusive learning kits that support educators in teaching complex subjects without sourcing additional materials or traveling to specialized facilities. Alongside immersive summer camps, professional development and on-site workshops, Central Creativity has impacted over 115,000 students and 16,000 teachers across nearly 5,000 schools, connecting them with valuable educational experiences and workforce exposure. For more information, visit centralcreativity.com.