Taking the Lead

With the demand for skilled technical workers with training and education continuing to grow in Topeka and the region, Washburn University Institute of Technology’s new dean is excited to help meet that demand and have a direct influence on the students he serves.

Scott Smathers started as dean on Dec. 1 after spending seven years as the vice president of workforce development at the Kansas Board of Regents. Before that, he worked at GO Topeka for three years. He earned an undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University and an MBA at Oklahoma City University.

“At the state, I told people I got the 30,000-foot view; you’re making policy for the Kansas Board of Regents coordinated and governed institutions,” Smathers said. “Here, I can make changes and see the direct impact on students’ lives.”

Smathers has been meeting with high schools Washburn Tech supports and with business and industry leaders in the region. With a Panasonic plant in De Soto and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, there are new opportunities to provide trained employees in advanced manufacturing and similar fields.

“Manufacturing now and manufacturing 30 years ago are two completely different things,” Smathers said. “I once had a plant manager tell me, ‘I can find people to program my robots. What I can’t do is find somebody who can fix the robot when the arm falls off.’ If we can provide them a trained employee who understands the hydraulics and the electronics and mechanics of putting it back on, that person can get hired making a really good salary right out of our program.”

Smathers also mentioned programs like health care, welding, automotive technology, diesel technology, graphics technology and early childhood education being in high demand.

“That’s really where our technical education comes in, and all of those students have a great chance of getting a good-paying job,” he said.

Smathers wants to see the connection between Washburn Tech and the University campus grow, easing the process for students who complete a Tech program to later take classes toward a two or four-year degree.

“We are still going to be unique in what we’re doing, but at the same time, there are a lot of benefits of having overlap with us and the University, and many times, the benefits are for the students,” Smathers said. “At 18, maybe a student just wants their certification and to go work. After a couple of years, they might see some value in moving on for a baccalaureate. Creating a smooth transition for them is absolutely critical.”

Washburn Tech recently refined its admissions policies, making it easier for students who completed high school to get enrolled. They’re evaluating new and expanded programs at the main campus and Washburn Tech East.

“I’m really hopeful that over the next year or two people are going to see changes and we’ll be doing some neat things,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing where we can take it.”