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Nancy Swanger, PhD, M.ED

Founding Director Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living

- Washington State University -
Associate Professor at the School of Hospitality & Business Management 
Faculty Athletics Representative

Bio

Dr. Nancy Swanger is the Founding Director of the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living, which is housed in the School of Hospitality Business Management in the Carson College of Business at Washington State University. In addition to her administrative duties, she teaches various courses in the curriculum—senior living operations, professional development, and special topics focusing on current trends or industry issues.

Nancy has extensive restaurant experience as a co-worker, manager, district manager, and owner. She and her husband owned and operated eight Subway restaurants from 1988-2017, and they still own two independent concepts.

Her research interests are in the areas of senior living, quick-serve restaurant operations, food safety/sanitation, and hospitality curriculum. As part of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, Nancy was named to the Healthy Ageing 50, one of four from the United States.

The Granger Cobb Institute was recognized as a 2023 Innovations That Inspire awardee by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)—one of 25 worldwide. Prior to Washington State, Nancy taught at the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College.