Eastern Washington University Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey has announced Monica Jaenicke as the new Assistant Athletic Director for Communications. Jaenicke has served as the Assistant Director for Communications for the past four and a half year under longtime Sports Information Director, Dave Cook, who retired in July after 31 years of service to EWU Athletic Department.
 
Jaenicke will oversee the publicity efforts for all 14 of Eastern Washington's programs under Todd McGann, who was recently elevated to Interim Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations.
 
"We are very fortunate to be able to promote Monica Jaenicke to Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and lead our sports information program for our 14 sports. She is a proven tireless worker and did not hesitate in taking on this position as the interim director of our communications unit when her long-time mentor, Dave Cook, retired this past summer," said Hickey. "Monica is a very talented writer with a solid grasp on the various and ever-changing media platforms that intercollegiate athletics must address. She has established relationships with our local and Big Sky media partners, and as an EWU alum and former Eagle student-athlete, she will be a great asset as we continue to build our communications office." 
 
Jaenicke is no stranger to Eastern Washington or the athletic department, as she graduated from EWU in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in communications with a public relations emphasis along with a minor in journalism. She was also a four-year letterwinner on Eastern's cross country and track and field teams, earning Big Sky All-Academic honors all four years.
 
While finishing her degree, Jaenicke worked as a sports information student assistant in the EWU Sports Information office, covering the cross country and track and field programs. Following graduation, Jaenicke earned her Master's degree in Sports Management from Western Illinois University while working as a graduate assistant in the athletic communications department.
 
"I am incredibly grateful to Lynn Hickey and the search committee for the opportunity to lead our athletic communications office. I am an Eagle through-and-through, and owe a lot to Eastern Washington University and this athletic department. I am looking forward to continuing to give back and publicize what our student-athletes and department are accomplishing in and out of competition," said Jaenicke. "I would not be in this position today without my friend and mentor, Dave Cook. I am thankful for all he taught me and am committed to continuing his efforts. I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement, and am excited to keep working alongside my external operations coworkers, student-athletes and staff, the Big Sky Conference and our media and community members."
 
Jaenicke has been serving as the Assistant Director of Communications since April 2017, overseeing the sports of women's basketball, soccer, volleyball, men's and women's tennis and golf while contributing to EWU's social media and graphic design efforts.
 
A native of Federal Way, Wash., Jaenicke resides in Spokane.