ERIE – Gannon University President Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., will discuss "The Demographic Cliff: What it means for higher ed and the county's workforce," during the Manufacturer & Business Association's (MBA) Eggs 'n' Issues briefing on Wednesday, February 7, at the MBA Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street. The event starts at 8 a.m. with registration at 7:45 a.m. All media are invited to attend.
According to experts, high school graduating classes are about to shrink significantly across Pennsylvania and the country. This demographic shift, a result of the societal changes initiated by the 2008 Great Recession, will alter the region’s economy – first by reducing the number of people who could eventually join the workforce but also by weakening one of the stronger industries Erie County has had, higher education.
As part of his presentation, Iwanenko will share how Gannon University and others are adapting to these new economic realities while working with local companies and other nonprofits to evolve programs to meet the emerging needs of local industry and the community. The presentation will include a virtual tour of the new makerspace in the Center for Advanced Manufacturing in I-HACK, the need for new connections with other Erie institutions, and the focus on first-generation college students and social mobility, as well as Gannon’s take on the importance of Project NEPTWNE.
Gannon University is a Catholic, diocesan university with campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Ruskin, Florida, offering online and traditional associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs to more than 4,700 students.
Cost is $35 for MBA members and $55 for nonmembers. Breakfast is included.
To register, visit mbausa.org or contact Melissa at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or mlesniewski@mbausa.org.
