Alan Carena received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College of the City University of New York and a Juris Doctor from the CUNY School of Law. He has served as an adjunct in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics since 1982. He also serves as an adjunct in the Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration.

Retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), where he was assigned to the Police Academy and served as an instructor, supervisor and the Assistant Chairperson of the Physical Education Department. He taught, supervised and assisted in developing training courses at the Academy. He has a background teaching as a per diem substitute in the New York City Board of Education. Currently, at John Jay College he teaches beginner swimming and has taught intermediate swimming and self-defense.