About Dr. Cornacchia

Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia has served as Interim President of Georgian Court University since February 6, 2025. With a distinguished career spanning decades in higher education, Dr. Cornacchia brings a wealth of experience and transformative leadership to guide the university.

Before joining Georgian Court, Dr. Cornacchia was the longest-serving and first lay president of Saint Peter’s University, leading the institution from 2007 until his retirement in June 2024. Under his leadership, Saint Peter’s achieved significant milestones, including its transition to university status, the introduction of its first doctoral programs, and the establishment of the Frank J. Guarini School of Business, the School of Nursing, and the Caulfield School of Education. His tenure also saw major campus enhancements, such as the construction of the Mac Mahon Student Center, Run Baby Run Arena, and Panepinto Hall.

A proven fundraiser and strategic planner, Dr. Cornacchia led two record-breaking campaigns that raised over $130 million to advance Saint Peter’s mission. He successfully navigated the university through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped elevate its national profile—particularly during the men’s basketball team’s historic NCAA Tournament run in 2022.

Dr. Cornacchia’s career began in the classroom as a professor of political science at Saint Peter’s, where he taught for 20 years before advancing to academic dean and later serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in political science from Fordham University.

Dr. Cornacchia and his wife, AnnMarie, are proud parents of two daughters, Lauren and Katherine, and loving grandparents to Ava, Zachary, and Maximilian.