Celebrating Our 15th President
Washburn University invites you to inauguration festivities celebrating our new president, Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, who became the first woman to lead this historic institution Feb. 1, 2023. Special activities are scheduled for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters throughout Washburn Homecoming week Oct. 23-28. The public is also invited to attend the Inauguration ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 in Lee Arena on the Washburn campus. Join us as we celebrate our history, staying true to our mission of serving all students and growing in partnership with our community to build a bold future. Together we thrive!Schedule of Events
Wednesday, Oct. 25
- 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Special Scorch on the Porch for Washburn students at the Washburn Memorial Union
Friday, Oct. 27
- 3 p.m. - Inauguration Ceremony in Lee Arena on the Washburn campus
- 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Public Reception in Lee Arena on the Washburn campus
Saturday, Oct. 28
- 8 - 11 a.m. - Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Washburn Alumni Association and Foundation in Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
- 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Alumni Tailgate Party
- 1 p.m. - Washburn Ichabods vs. Northwest Missouri State Bearcats at Yager Stadium
Note: Check back often to learn of additional activities that will be included in the special week of events.
Biography
Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek began her work as the 15th president of Washburn University Feb. 1, 2023. She is an accomplished leader in higher education, most recently serving as president of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Prior to that, Dr. Mazachek spent 30 years at Washburn University in various leadership roles.
Dr. Mazachek served as vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Washburn from 2016 until 2022. Before serving as VPAA, she was president and CEO of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation for 15 years where she oversaw all aspects of the fundraising, alumni and stewardship programs. Earlier in her career, she was a tenured faculty member in accounting and served as dean of the Washburn University School of Business where she led early efforts for Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation.
Dr. Mazachek has been a dedicated volunteer in the Topeka community and served on numerous boards and organizations including the CoreFirst Bank and Trust Board of Directors, Heritage Bank Board of Directors, Greater Topeka Partnership, Chamber of Commerce, the Steering Committee of Greater Topeka and Shawnee County Strategic Plan – Momentum 2022 and 2027 and the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus. She has also served on the boards of the Kansas Hospital Association, Junior Achievement of Kansas, Boy Scouts-Jayhawk Area Council and the Kansas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering management with an emphasis in mechanical engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. She received a master’s degree in business administration and a doctorate in accounting from the University of Kansas.
She and her husband, Keith Mazachek, Ph.D., have been married for 39 years and have three adult children. Keith most recently served as coordinator of the Engineering Transfer Program and a senior lecturer of physics and astronomy in the Washburn University College of Arts and Sciences. The Mazachek’s have a son, Garrett, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, a daughter, Kara, an economist in Washington, D.C., and a daughter, Stephanie, an accountant in Kansas City. Two of them are Washburn alumni, Garrett, ’14, and Kara, ’16, as are many members of their extended family.
Welcome Washburn's 15th President!
A letter from Dr. Mazachek
Washburn University is such a special place to me and my family, and I am deeply humbled to serve as its next and first female president. I am overwhelmed with joy to be home!
As a faculty member and administrator for more than 30 years, I have worked alongside many talented educators and administrators in helping advance Washburn’s mission. Two of my children graduated from Washburn, so I know firsthand the impact Washburn has on students and the life-changing difference it can make in people’s lives.
The factors that drew me back to the Washburn family are numerous. I value our educators who work tirelessly to ensure student success, our staff members who truly believe in Washburn’s mission, and the students who have chosen Washburn and who work hard to discover and achieve their educational dreams and goals for the future.
I deeply appreciate our loyal alumni and donors who truly care for this university and its path moving forward. I also am grateful to the Washburn University Board of Regents and members of the presidential search committee for the confidence they have shown in me with this appointment.
I am inspired by all of you and the work you do to make a difference for our students as well as the future of Washburn, the Topeka community, our region and the great State of Kansas.
The landscape of higher education is changing and filled with opportunity. Working as a team, we will prepare for and embrace a future that is innovative, collaborative and ready for new ideas, change and growth. We know the vital importance of educating students who will become our future workforce, business owners, thought leaders and community and national leaders. The vitality of our communities and economy depends on the next generation which is why Washburn continues to always put students first.
I am truly excited to join together to envision a bright and bold future. By building on Washburn’s outstanding legacy, we will keep moving our great university to new heights and expanding the horizons of every Ichabod. I am so excited for the incredible journey ahead.
Go Bods!
Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek
President, Washburn University
