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HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

  1. Upcoming Professional Development Programs
  2. Excellence in Leadership and Management Programs
  3. Leadership and Management Resource Center
  4. Office Professional Certificate
  5. Program Registration Information
  6. Services for Improving Individual, Group, and Organizational Development
  7. HRDC Library
  8. View Information Technology Service Training Programs
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
  10. Human Resource Development Center Staff Profiles
  11. Other Professional Development Providers

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAFF PROFILES

 

Lenny Pollack, Ph.D. (Manager)

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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.

Dr. Pollack'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, and planning. He is a certified executive coach.

Dr. Pollack 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.

 
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Diane Brown (Assistant Manager)

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Diane Brown, Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) Assistant Manager, strives to make a difference. When she works with participants, they leave with concrete tools and techniques to apply in the workplace.

In her role, Diane is responsible for the design and delivery of programming in the area of Career Development and Leadership and Management. She also oversees the Mastering SuperVision Certificate Program, the Women's Leadership Conference, Requested Programs, programming via Polycom and Adobe Connect, and is the liaison for requested training programs for the Commonwealth Campuses.

Prior to joining HRDC, Diane was the Director of Admissions for South Hills School of Business & Technology. Her career 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 teaching classes including marketing, management, and job search skills.

Diane earned a B.A. in Organizational Management and an M.B.A. in Management both from Eastern College. Diane is a 2008 graduate of the Sherpa Executive Coaching program offered through Smeal College of Business at Penn State. She also holds an accounting certificate from the Detroit Business Institute.

She is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Centre County, is the Vice President of Education for State College Toastmasters Club 1219 and holds the Toastmasters Bronze Advanced Level, volunteers for the Arts Fest in State College, and is active in her community.

 
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Rick Capozzi (Human Resource Development Associate)

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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 and many of the Professional Growth areas of the Human Resource Development Center curriculum in addition to heading-up the Penn State Management Institute and Client Development.

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.

His recent publications include, "Collected Thoughts-and Some Poignant Ramblings Volume 1 & 2" which are motivational and inspirational.

Rick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

 
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Brynn Rousselin (Human Resource Development Associate)

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Brynn, an Associate with the Human Resource Development (HRDC), is responsible for the design and delivery of programs within Customer Service, Teams and Teambuilding, Facilitation Services, Myers-Brigg Type Indicator, and the Penn State Leader. Additionally, she provides customized consulting and development assistance in customer relations for units interested in measuring, monitoring, and improving customer service.

Brynn's training and development background includes experience in various industries ranging from facility management to retail and customer service organizations. In terms of management development and customer service training, Brynn has delivered training on a broad scope of topics to all levels of employees. Most recently, Brynn managed the Training and Development Department for Safeway, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Brynn has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a concentration in Education from The College of Wooster and a Masters of Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology from Temple University. Brynn has also coached at the collegiate level for both The College of Wooster and Susquehanna University as the Women's Lacrosse Assistant Coach.

 
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Kerrie Ferchalk (Human Resource Development Specialist)

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Kerrie is a Human Resource Development Specialist in HRDC. She is responsible for the development and revision of HRDC materials. She is also responsible for assessment and evaluation services, including the development of online questionnaires, program evaluations, and 360-degree assessments as well as data collection and analysis.

Prior to joining the HRDC team, Kerrie spent six years developing curricula, creating manuscripts, and proofing manuscripts for middle school through college educational mathematics text and software programs. During this time, she served as a project leader, maintaining schedules and templates to ensure the success of the projects. Kerrie graduated with a degree in mathematics from Edinboro University of PA.

 
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Kathleen Wolfhope (Human Resource Development Specialist)

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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.

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 Systems with a focus in Organization Development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development with an emphasis in Training and Development and a Minor in IST from Penn State.

 
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Trish Ripka (Human Resource Development Assistant)

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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.

 
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Alesha Drapcho-Gavlock (Human Resource Development Staff Assistant)

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Alesha joined the Human Resource Development Center in February 2008. She is a graduate of South Hills School of Business & Technology with a focus on Business Administration, Management and Marketing. Alesha provides support for the Management Institute, Office Professional Certificate, Leadership Academy, and scheduled programs.

 
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Dan Liberg (Human Resource Development Staff Assistant)

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Dan is a staff assistant at the Human Resource Development Center for Penn State University. In this position, he provides support for all requested programs, as well as several scheduled programs. Dan also assists with program evaluations and summaries. Dan maintains and is responsible for the audio/visual equipment for the department.

Prior to joining the Human Resource Development Center, Dan was a student at Penn State. He graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management.

 
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Erin Soika (Human Resource Development Staff Assistant)

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Erin is a staff assistant in the Human Resource Development Center. In addition to serving as HRDC's receptionist, she supports both requested and scheduled programs, as well as the University-Wide New Employee Orientation. She also enrolls program participants and collects/processes program evaluations. Erin coordinates the audio/visual services and food service for the training room, and maintains office equipment and supplies.

Prior to her HRDC experience, Erin was employed by Comair-Delta Airlines at the University Park Airport booking and boarding flights, parking aircraft, and accommodated snow-stranded passengers.

 
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