Zander Leads Blue Jay Staffing Change
Westminster College has announced several staffing changes, headlined by the addition of Derek Zander as the new Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Athletics Advancement, and Strategic Programs. About Derek Zander, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Athletics Advancement, and Strategic Programs Derek arrived at Westminster on May 31 from Iowa Wesleyan University after a successful tenure of 11 years, where he advanced in 2020 from Director of Athletics to a Cabinet-level position as Vice President for Advancement and Athletics. His promotion followed phenomenal success in fundraising, marketing, alumni relations, community relations, recruitment, retention, and operations, despite the challenging factors impacting higher education. In his most recent capacity at Iowa Wesleyan, he led the advancement team to enhance communication with alumni and key stakeholders, quickly increasing annual giving overall from 2020 to the present. In fact, from fiscal year 2020 to 2022, Derek increased fundraising by an astounding 167%. He also led the advancement team to a record performance of $3.7 million raised during the fiscal year 2022. These are just a few highlights from Derek's successful career at Iowa Wesleyan, where from 2012 to 2017, he also served as Assistant Athletic Director, NCAA Compliance Officer, Head Baseball Coach, and Assistant Baseball Coach. Derek was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, but grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2011, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Iowa Wesleyan, where he played collegiate baseball. In 2014, he earned a master's degree in Coaching and Administration from the University of Concordia-Irvine. Derek received both the Carol Nemitz Staff Member of the Year award and the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Service Award in 2019. Derek and his wife, Anna, are the parents of two sons: Mason (6) and Gavin (2). Todd Creal Named Associate Director of Athletics Todd Creal has been named the College's new Associate Director of Athletics. Creal served as Interim Associate Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, a role he undertook this past year after Matt Mitchell, our previous Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, ended his 25-year tenure with the department to become our new Director of Development and Major Gifts Officer. In addition to his new duties, Todd will remain Head Men's Basketball Coach and Head Women's Golf Coach. Talisha Washington Named Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Talisha Washington has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. Washington will retain her previous role at Westminster as Head Women's Basketball Coach. Talisha plays an instrumental part in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SLIAC) and Westminster College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Councils, focusing on creating campus-wide initiatives for staff, coaches, and student-athletes. Talisha, a Fulton native, was named the SLIAC women's basketball Coach of the Year in 2021. She brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her new positions. Her promotions recognize her many strengths as a coach, leader, and administrator. Karen Tompson-Wolfe and Tyler Oberlag will round out this newly formed leadership team. Karen, a long-time faculty member and current Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR), will assist in ensuring academics and athletics continue to work together for the betterment of the student-athlete population. As we look to grow the awareness and publicity of Blue Jay athletics, Tyler's expertise and skills as the Sports Information Director will provide valuable insight to help us accomplish this.
Story courtesy of Westminster College Sports Information
