We sat down with Dr. Hadaway to learn more about the new master’s degree in corporate learning and talent development, scheduled to launch in March 2026.
What is corporate learning and talent development?
Corporate learning is the process of how learning happens within an organization. How do employees gain skills? How do you train employees from onboarding to departure? And how do you prepare employees for the things that are rapidly changing inside the company? The other element of corporate learning is becoming an organization that analyzes data in order to be smarter about decision-making across the board. Those working in this field need to understand how to gather and analyze data to prepare corporations for an ever-changing world.
Who would be the ideal candidate for this master’s program?
At this level of education, the ideal candidate has to be a passionate lifelong learner. You have to want to learn and think strategically. You also have to be invested, not just from a credential standpoint, but having a desire to serve and help others succeed. This degree is relevant to people who aspire to work in this field and those who are currently in the field but need a degree to take the next step in their careers. According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD), 55 percent of those in this field have advanced degrees. So if you want to compete, you're going to need to up your training and credentials in order to be considered for advanced roles.
What are some things students can expect to learn? What is the curriculum like?
We base our classes off the ATD body of knowledge. It's a big book about the latest and greatest in talent development. By using a body of knowledge that's dynamic, we can keep our content fresh, relevant and on the cutting edge. Students can expect to learn everything from the basics of instructional design to what makes adult learning successful. They can also expect to learn how to deliver training in both the online asynchronous environment and in the synchronous face-to-face setting.
Adult students are sometimes concerned about balancing school with their job and personal life. What would you say to students who are hesitant because of this?
I understand because I was an adult student and I know what it takes to fit it all in. The courses are designed to maximize this concept called cognitive load. That means that we recognize your brain can only handle so much information at a time. You've got to allow space for it to be processed so that it can move to long-term memory and become actionable. We’re designing for effectiveness, not rigor for its own sake. The work is challenging, but you're not going to be worn out in the process of doing it.
You’ve had an extensive career in the Navy, in ministry and the corporate world. What are the most important things you've learned?
Never stop learning. What I have learned through the course of my career is that if I don't maintain a learner mindset, then I'm going to find myself sitting on the sidelines watching the world go by, and I'm just not willing to do that. I've also learned that I'm far more capable than I give myself credit for. I won't say anything's possible, but we have far more potential than we recognize. That's what I've learned and what I'm trying to leverage in this program.
Learn more about the program on Trevecca’s master’s in corporate learning and talent development web page.