College of Engineering and Architecture:

PULLMAN – Former Colfax Mayor Todd Vanek was named as director of the Engineering Technology Management (ETM) and Online Learning Programs in Washington State University's Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.

Vanek served as the Mayor of Colfax for two terms from January 2012 to December 2019. He said that being mayor allowed him to gain more leadership experience in working with state government.

"The experience working with state government is proving beneficial in budgeting, personnel and other state administrative functions," Vanek said.

In August 2018, Vanek was hired as the Assistant Director of ETM. As assistant director, he managed the program's operations, including fiscal, personnel and administrative management, marketing, communications, corporate relations and strategic planning. He also oversaw marketing and finances for the Professional Science Master's degree in Electrical Power Engineering.

When the previous director of ETM resigned in July 2019, Vanek was hired as the director of operations. He held this position until May where he is now the director of ETM and online learning programs.

Additional leadership positions held by Vanek include positions in the United State Navy and manufacturing and retail fields.

"The director appointment brings together most of my professional experience into one position," Vanek said. "Education, quality management and leadership. Dean Mary Rezac commented that I have a unique set of skills that fit the position well."

Vanek has a Ph.D. in educational psychology from WSU and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Norfolk State University in Virginia.

The ETM program was established at WSU in 1982. This program offers an online master's degree and graduate certificates in engineering and technology management.