Dr. Walter Iwanenko, Jr., named the eighth President of Gannon University in July 2023, was born to immigrant parents from Poland and Ukraine and is a first-generation college graduate.
He earned degrees in Occupational Therapy from D’Youville College and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from SUNY Buffalo. With extensive experience in both higher education and healthcare administration, he and his wife founded ChildPro of WNY and Monarch Little Learners Academy.
At Gannon, he has held key leadership roles, including Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, driving initiatives like the Ruskin, Florida campus and the Institute of Health and Cyber Knowledge (I-HACK).
Active in the Erie community, he serves on several local boards. Dr. Iwanenko resides in Erie, PA, with his wife, Mary. Together, they have three children and two grandchildren.
