Clinical Professor
General Business
Biography
Chris Finnin, Ed.D., is a Clinical Professor and Academic Director of the First-Year Experience with more than 25 years of experience in business education. He focuses on teaching first-year students, designing experiential learning opportunities, and helping students connect classroom concepts with real-world practice. Chris has developed and led global programs in cities such as Rome, Prague, Florence, Budapest and London, often integrating site visits, business projects, and cultural exploration. His courses emphasize reflection, teamwork, and early professional development.
Beyond teaching, Chris co-founded ProfTalk.org, a platform for faculty engagement, and serves as Founder and Principle Investigator at Infinite Hiatus, an incubator for EdTech and Consumer Tech innovations. He regularly collaborates with institutions on curriculum design, student experience strategy, and leadership development.
Known for his student-first approach and thoughtful mentorship, Chris is committed to helping students find purpose and confidence early in their college careers. Outside of work, he has an amazing bow tie drawer and cheers for Chelsea FC.
Areas of Expertise
- Business Education
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- Technology Commercialization
- General Business
- Strategy Implementation
- Entrepreneurship/Small Business Administration
Selected Works
Articles
Finnin, Christoper, A Program Evaluation: Examining the Effect of a Residential Business Learning Community on University Student Engagement and Academic Achievement. Dissertation (Forthcoming).
Books
Finnin, Christoper, The Effect of Learning Communities on Academic Achievement & University Persistence. Drexel University: Dissertation, (Forthcoming).
Presented Research
Finnin, Christoper, D’Angelo, Dana C., and Wright, Jennifer, Electronic Portfolios & Student Perceptions of Learning, Lilly Conference on College & Univ Teaching: Bethesda, Md, (Jun 2011):
Finnin, Christoper, and D’Angelo, Dana C., WAKE UP! Engaging Students in Large & Smal…, Teaching Academic Survival Skills: Ft Lauderdale, Fl, (Mar 2011):
Professional Experience
Academic-LeBow College of Business, Drexel University Director, General Business Studies Philadelphia PA Jul 2008-Nov 00-1
Academic-Instructor LeBow College of Business, Drexel University Aug 2007-Jun 2008
Corporate-Start-Up Mode Founder Nov 2004-Nov 00-1
Academic-LeBow College of Business Adjunct Faculty Jan 2000-Jun 2007
Corporate-Half.com by eBay Manager, Strategy & Planning Jan 2000-Oct 2004
Corporate-Rittenhouse Book Distributors, Inc. Electronic Services Manager Sep 1993-Dec 1999
Awards
2022 Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (LeBow College of Business)
2021 Teaching Fellow, Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (LeBow College of Business)
2018 Fall Term Teaching and Learning Conference Award (Drexel University)
2015 Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow, CTE (LeBow College of Business)
2010 Barbara G. Hornum Award for Teaching Excellence (Drexel University)
2009 Teaching Excellence Award (Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business)