HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAFF PROFILES
Lenny Pollack, Ph.D. (Manager)
Leadership Areas:
- Division Management
- Organizational Development
- Curriculum Development
Lenny Pollack manages Penn State's Human Resource Development Center. Throughout his career, Dr. Pollack has been committed to improving the performance of individuals and organizations.
Lenny's prior work includes accomplishments in all phases of instructional design, including needs assessment, job analysis, course design and development, program evaluation, and the creation of professional development systems. He also consults in the areas of organizational development, performance evaluation, survey development, change management, and strategic planning. Dr. Pollack currently teaches courses for the Human Resource Development Center in communications, change management, leadership, management development, and planning.
Lenny has developed and delivered educational products for a variety of professionals from a broad range of businesses and industries. Instructional programs and performance assessment tools authored by Dr. Pollack have been delivered via classroom instruction, print materials, conferences, self-study, clinical instruction in the workplace, audiotape, and instructional video.
Dr. Pollack has a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems and an M.Ed.in Counselor Education from The Pennsylvania State University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is an affiliate faculty member in Penn State's College of Education.
Diane Brown (Human Resource Development Associate)
Leadership Areas:
- Career Development
- Women's Leadership Conference
- Office Professional Certificate
- Requested/Customized Programs and Services
Diane Brown, Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) Associate, strives to make a difference. Her practical approach and belief that everyone wants to professionally and personally grow is at the core of her training heart.
In her role, Diane is responsible for the design and delivery of the Career Development program. Diane also oversees the Office Professional Certificate Program, the Women's Leadership Conference, and New Employee Orientation.
Prior to joining HRDC, Diane was the Director of Admissions for South Hills School of Business & Technology. Her career path includes working for Eastern College as the Director of Marketing & Recruitment for the School of Professional Studies and as an Assistant Vice President/Accounting Manager for Marsh & McLennan, Incorporated. Since 2002 she has been an affiliate for HRDC. Diane has also been an adjunct instructor for Saint Francis University, Eastern College, South Hills School, and Penn State Continuing Education.
Diane is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Centre County, a finalist for the 2005 CBICC Athena Award, and the current president of the State College Toastmasters Club 1219.
Rick Capozzi (Human Resource Development Associate)
Leadership Areas:
- Personal Effectiveness
- Professional Skills
- The Penn State Leader
Rick Capozzi, Human Resource Development Center Associate, has been developing and presenting personal growth and development seminars professionally since 1991. At the same time, he has been an international marketing consultant doing business throughout the globe. He brings a wealth of real world experiences into his presentations.
Rick started his relationship with Penn State University in 1997 as an independent contractor presenting staff development workshops; and then in 2003, he joined the Human Resource Development Center team as an Affiliate prior to becoming a full-time Associate in Spring 2005.
Rick orchestrates and delivers the Personal Effectiveness, Management and many of the Professional Growth areas of the Human Resource Development Center curriculum in addition to heading-up the Penn State Leader.
He has extensive experience in staff and student development in educational environments including work with several of the state universities, Penn State campuses, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, as well as numerous public and private schools.
Rick's sense of humor and interactive style enable him to fully engage learners by integrating fun in the classroom while emphasizing workplace skills.
Rick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Anne Christo-Baker (Human Resource Development Associate)
Leadership Areas:
- Teams, Teamwork, and Facilitation Services
- Communication
- Blended Learning
- Individual, Group, and Organizational Assessments
Dr. Anne Christo-Baker leads, designs, develops, and implements team building facilitation and communications programs, and services to assist units, faculty, and staff in working together more effectively and productively. Her primary goal in life is to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Dr. Christo-Baker has consulted both nationally and internationally for non-profit, financial services and manufacturing organizations as well as higher education institutions. She has also served as a faculty member in several higher education institutions providing instruction in leadership, management, marketing, and social sciences. Anne also serves in professional and academic organizations as a reviewer, writer, and presenter.
Dr. Christo-Baker's academic credentials include a bachelor of science in economics and social studies from the University of Sierra Leone, a master of organization development degree from Bowling Green State University, and a doctorate in leadership studies from Bowling Green State University.
Patricia Shope (Human Resource Development Associate)
Leadership Areas:
- Customer Relations
- Leadership Management
- Management Institute
- Leadership Academy
Pat is an Associate with the Human Resource Development Center (HRDC). She is responsible for the design and delivery of programs within customer relations, leadership, and management. Additionally she provides customized development assistance in customer relations for units interested in measuring, monitoring, and improving customer service.
Pat brings to the position prior management and leadership experience in healthcare, public education, manufacturing, and service businesses. She has developed and delivered training in management and customer service, provided seminars, coaching, and facilitation services at all levels of the workforce. Most recently she was a faculty member at Juniata College in the business department teaching courses in entrepreneurship and management.
Pat has an A. A. in Business from Penn State, a B. S. in Human Resources from Juniata College and a Ph.D. in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State.
Kathleen Wolfhope (Human Resource Development Specialist)
Leadership Areas:
- Marketing Communications
- Express Seminars
- Book-Based Seminars
- Leadership and Management Resource Center (LMRC)
- Web Operations and Office Technology
- Needs Analysis and Evaluation
Kathleen E. Wolfhope, an entrepreneur at heart, develops, and implements marketing and communication strategies for the Human Resource Development Center. She is also the division's technology support specialist and coordinates efforts involving web technology. Kathleen leads the department's statistical analysis providing survey and market research, program analysis and evaluation, and performance improvement reporting.
Prior to joining Penn State in 1999, Kathleen served as a training assistant in industry and held management positions in culinary arts. She has taught computer software training as an Adult Education Instructor for the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology (CPI).
Kathleen is currently a master's degree candidate in Workforce Education Learning and Performance with a focus on organization development. She has a B. S.in Workforce Education and Development with an emphasis in Training and Development and a minor in IST from Penn State.
Nancy Brown (Human Resource Development Staff Assistant)
Responsibility Areas:
- Scheduled Programs
- Management Institute
- Office Professional Certificate
- Leadership Academy
Nancy is a staff assistant at the Human Resource Development Center for Penn State University. In this position, she provides support to the Leadership Academy, Management Institute, Office Professional Excellence, and scheduled programs. Prior to joining the Human Resource Development Center, Nancy was a staff assistant for the Office of Health Promotion and Education at Penn State for four years.
Dixie Long (Human Resource Development Staff Assistant)
Responsibility Areas:
- Program Support
- Library Operations
Dixie Long joined the Human Resource Development Center in September 2002. She was previously employed at the Altoona Campus of Penn State University in the Business Services Office where she worked for three years. Dixie provides support for requested programs and delivery of programs and services to the Campus Colleges. Dixie is the HRDC Library Administrator, registers participants for the programs offered by the Human Resource Development Center, and processes program evaluations. She provides logistic, facilities, and AV services for the Human Resources Development Center training room in James M. Elliott Building. Dixie maintains office equipment and is responsible for ordering supplies for the department.
Trish Ripka (Human Resource Development Staff Assistant)
Responsibility Areas:
- Program Scheduling
- Office Operations
- Financial Operations
Trish joined the Human Resource Development Center as a wage payroll working on the support for the development of the Leadership and Management Resource Center. Over the years Trish has joined the staff as a staff assistant and began supporting large scale programs such as the Management Institute and the Office Professional Certificate Program.
Currently Trisha's responsibilities include scheduling all the Human Resource Development Center programs that are offered in the annual catalog of Professional Development Opportunities for Faculty and Staff. She is also responsible for financial and office operations of the division.
In addition Trish is responsible for assisting in the development and delivery of large scale projects such as the Women's Leadership Conference. Trish holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.