Candidate Profile: Shishan Wang For Andover School Committee

ANDOVER, MA — Andover will have two contested races in the March 22 municipal election, including a five-candidate open race for two seats on the School Committee.

Neither incumbent — Paul Murphy and Shannon Scully — is running for re-election.

Andover Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and is publishing candidate profiles.

Shishan Wang is one of the five candidates running for the School Committee seat, facing Sandis Wright, Emily DiCesaro, Erin Cash and Jo Thorlin.

Wang is a research scientist and sits on the Andover Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He is running for his first elected office.

Are you running for office in Andover? Contact andover@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Andover Patch.

Previously on Patch: 11 Candidates File For Andover's 2022 Election

Shishan Wang

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Andover School Committee

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

My wife Lijun and I raised three children. My daughter Sophia is a graduate of AHS. My two sons Carl and Dylan are studying at AHS. We have been living in Andover for fourteen years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

I earned both BS and MS in Microbiology in China. I earned a Ph.D. in Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Occupation

I am a senior research scientist in Microbiology and Biochemistry. I have been working in research and development of food safety innovation in Biotech for fourteen years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am a commissioner on the Andover Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Campaign website

www.shishanwang.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am willing to be involved in the School Committee. When my three children are going through Andover Public Schools, I am so grateful for the help with my three kids. As I am serving in AHS Improvement Council and Andover Commission on DEI, I learned a lot and would like to continue to serve the local government.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Math and science should be further improved in Andover Public Schools. STEM jobs in United States in the past ten years have grown at three times the pace of non-STEM jobs. They continue growing at this pace through the next decade. STEM jobs require technical expertise. There are not enough qualified job candidates in the United States to fill all of these projected positions. The United States ranks lower than several Asian and European nations in math and science achievement.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a scientist, I am a critical thinker and problem solver. During the campaign in 2020, I proposed a school starting time plan after performing a research study. The kids get additional sleep after school starting time change. Their school performance and health are much improved.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Andover has a great reputation on schools in history. Now the education system is falling behind. There is more room for improvement in academic learning, social and emotional growth, and college and career readiness.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Andover School Committee recently voted to start AHS renovation. I would support the addition of a new building in front of Collins Center or on tennis court. I propose an AHS blueprint of a three-building campus. I also support the combination of social and emotional growth with sportsmanship for student wellbeing. I would pay more attention to cultivating student learning motivation and curiosity. Then it would help students develop college and career readiness.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a scientist, I am proud that I am working with my team to develop new food safety systems and improve human life globally.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I thank my supporters in the past years who were working with me to help our schools move forward.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.