Penn State's Human Resource Development Center Helps Employees Upgrade Skills, Knowledge

11-7-97
University Park, Pa. -- If Penn State employees want to work better on teams, become better leaders, improve their communication skills, expand their technical expertise, or learn more about wellness and health, they know that the University's Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) can help them get the skills and knowledge they need.

HRDC not only responds to the changing work environment, it also anticipates the needs of Penn State employees and organizations, the Board of Trustees was told at its Nov. 7 meeting. Last year the center offered 452 programs through 817 different sections, delivered more than 300 hours of facilitation and consultation services, and collaborated on programs with more than 40 other departments at Penn State.

"The University is rapidly changing in response to a more global, competitive work environment," Lenny Pollack, HRDC manager, told the board. "We are helping employees and organizations meet their increased needs for updating skills, developing a customer orientation, encouraging teamwork, and promoting flexible responses to challenges in the workplace."

HRDC is part of the University's Office of Human Resources. A glance at HRDC's latest program catalog shows that it provides a wide range of training, facilitation and consulting services and offers scores of professional development programs.

A sampling of the available courses includes "Powerful Communication Skills," "Planning and Developing Effective University Publications," "Successful Cross-Cultural Communication (I and II)," dozens of courses on using computer software packages, "Managing Diversity," "Motivating and Empowering Employees for Success," "Personal Goal Setting and Achievement," "Applying Quality Principles in Daily Work," and "Home-Life: The Key to Your Child's Success at School."

A professional development survey coordinated by the center suggests that the typical Penn State employee prefers 41-80 hours of professional development a year, ample time and financial support for professional development, a systematic professional development curriculum for supervisors and managers, and University-wide guidelines related to funding and participation in professional development activities, Pollack told the board.

"HRDC has developed a strategic framework to guide its activities," Pollack said. "Our vision is that Penn State faculty and staff will continuously improve their ability to work with quality, respect, and kindness toward others. In applying their expertise, faculty and staff will provide students with an exemplary model of individual and organizational behavior in the world of work."

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Contact: Christy Rambeau (814) 865-7517 (office) (814) 237-9046 (home) cmr7@psu.edu