-
Health and Human Development
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
About
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Environmental Health
- Overview of the College
- Meet the Dean
-
News and Events
Explore
-
Events
Explore
-
Profiles
Explore
-
Diversity and Inclusion
Explore
-
Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
College Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
Explore
-
HHD Faculty Sustainability Award
Explore
-
Joyce Hopson-King Diversity Achievement Award
Explore
-
Ann C. Crouter Early Career Faculty Award
Explore
-
Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award
Explore
-
HHD Alumni Society Excellence in Teaching Award
Explore
-
Leadership in Outreach Award
Explore
-
Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Explore
-
Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award
Explore
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
-
HHD Alumni Society Awards
Explore
-
College Awards
-
Commencement
Explore
- Employers and Industry
- Our Valued Partners
- History
-
Strategic Plans 2014-19
Explore
-
Strategic Plan 2021-25
Explore
- Subscribe, Listen, Learn: College Podcasts
- Donate
- Contact
-
Undergraduate
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Getting Started
Explore
-
Majors and Minors
Explore
-
Honors Program
Explore
-
Advising
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Academic Integrity
Explore
- Academic Progress
- Advising Resources
-
Change of Campus
Explore
- Declaring a Major/Minor
-
Enforcement of Recommended Preparation
Explore
- Learning Support
- Petitions to University Policies and Procedures
-
Policies and Procedures
Explore
- Schedule an Appointment with Your Adviser
-
Undergraduate Adviser and Student Handbook
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
- Dean's List
-
Academic Integrity
- Student Organizations
-
Student Profiles
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies
Explore
-
Kinesiology
Explore
-
Nutritional Sciences
Explore
-
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Explore
-
Student Research
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health
-
Study Abroad
Explore
- Take a Professor to Lunch
-
Financial Aid and College Scholarships
Explore
-
Leadership Initiative
Explore
-
Summer Session
Explore
- Dean's Welcome Meeting
- Parents and Family Association
-
Visit and Apply
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Discover HHD
Explore
-
Career and Professional Development
Explore
-
Experiential Education Spotlights
Explore
-
HHD Instagram Ambassadors
Explore
- Undergraduate Research Grants
- Undergraduate Activities and Events
-
Getting Started
-
Graduate
Explore
-
Alumni
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Events
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Alumni Virtual Events
Explore
-
Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- 2021 - Derrick Campana
- 2019 - Ariel Clatty
- 2018 - James Fitzgerald
- 2018 - Susan Robinson
- 2017 - Janet Rosenzweig
- 2015 - Scott M. Smith
- 2014 - Mark McCamish
- 2013 - Patricia Hillkirk
- 2012 - Jill Jayne
- 2011 - Robert E. Hillman
- 2010 - Joanne Finegan
- 2009 - Mario Lafortune
- 2008 - Mary Ellen Clark
- 2007 - Wendy A. Owen
-
Alumni Virtual Events
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
News
Explore
-
Get Involved
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Mentor a Student
Explore
-
Join an Affiliate Program Group
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders APG
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration APG
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies APG
Explore
-
Kinesiology APG
Explore
-
Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS)
Explore
-
Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS)
Explore
-
Recreation Park and Tourism Management APG
Explore
- Get Involved with an Affiliate Program Group
-
Professional Golf Management APG
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
-
HHD Alumni Society
Explore
-
Mentor a Student
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Awards
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
- Kinesiology
-
Alumni Profiles
Explore
- Nutritional Sciences
- Alumni Magazine
- Career Resources for Alumni
- Update Your Contact Information
- Volunteer Leaders
- Donate
- Contact
-
Events
-
Research
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Departments
Explore
-
Outreach
Explore
-
About
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Non-Tenure Line Faculty Appointment and Promotion Guidelines
- Tenure Line Faculty Promotion and Tenure Guidelines
Alan Finnecy ‘83

Love for Happy Valley kept alumnus on campus for a career in HR
Since the age of six, Alan Finnecy has lived within a few miles of Happy Valley. The allure of staying close to Mount Nittany must have been a strong one, for other than a few years right after he graduated, his life’s work has been spent at Penn State. A lot has changed on campus since 1983, when he graduated with a degree in Individual and Family Studies (IFS), the precursor to HDFS. However, Alan’s commitment and his joy in serving Penn State has not wavered. His work has made a difference in many areas at the University.
Alan’s skills in all areas of communication and counseling were developed early in the IFS major and these have served him well over his tenure with Penn State. He has spent the last 10 years serving as the coordinator of the University’s American with Disabilities Act (ADA) program, working to ensure that all employees and students have their accommodations or needs met per ADA guidelines. He also served as the senior affirmative action specialist, responding to discrimination complaints filed against the University.
The experiences and jobs Alan held on campus—peer educator at the health center, campus loop bus driver (before the current CATA system!) and showing movies for a large variety of classes—all gave him great insight to apply what he learned in classes.
His previous positions included the assistant director of the PA Governor’s School for Agricultural Sciences and human resources manager for the College of Engineering. He has also written for the Alumni Association, as well as in the Affirmative Action Office. Alan took a short break from Penn State to attend law school from 1994-1997 at the University of Pittsburgh (gasp!) to increase his legal knowledge and skills.
Alan spent his college days in the 80’s staying busy and working a few jobs while attending classes, which he continues to highly recommend! The experiences and jobs he held on campus—peer educator at the health center, campus loop bus driver (before the current CATA system!) and showing movies for a large variety of classes—all gave him great insight to apply what he learned in classes. His favorite memories from back in the day are the roaring fire inside the main doors of the old Henderson building on winter mornings after a cold walk across campus, and getting coffee and donuts in the Living Center just beyond those doors. Alan met his husband at Penn State, has two children in their 20’s, and has a passion for canine children as well. His current dog, Charlie, is a dalmatian—close to blue and white colors! He also enjoys reading, biking, and kayaking. Alan advises to get involved, stay busy, and enjoy all that Penn State has to offer both now and in the future!
This profile was published October 2021.