Mercer University’s College of Professional Advancement is taking significant steps to connect students with career-enhancing opportunities in the field of human resources and talent development. The university’s bachelor’s degree program in human resources administration and talent development offers students a pathway to professional growth through a newly established scholarship fund.
Students enrolled in this program can now benefit from financial assistance that allows them to join two prominent professional organizations in their field: the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This initiative aligns with the program’s recent curriculum revisions, designed to meet industry standards and the competencies outlined by leading professional organizations.
Dr. Jacqueline Stephen, assistant professor and director of the College of Professional Advancement’s Office of Distance Learning, emphasized the importance of experiential learning activities that engage students and support their academic and professional growth. The program is structured as an accelerated online course, with classes lasting eight weeks each.
Beyond preparing students for roles as human resources administrators, the program also equips them for careers as instructional designers, talent development managers, and training and development specialists. Dr. Stephen noted the essential role of training in every organization, highlighting the continuous need for leadership in human resources development.
Chantia Daniels, a student who transitioned from a corporate background, shared her experience of diving into the field of talent development through Mercer’s program. After a layoff from her previous role, she embraced the opportunity to learn both the front-end and back-end aspects of training and instructional design.
Charlotte Whitehead, another student, is set to complete the program in 2026. With a background in higher education, she enrolled at Mercer to further her passion for instructional design and talent development. Whitehead views her education as a personal investment and encourages others to pursue their dreams using available resources.
The Human Resources Administration and Talent Development Student Enhancement Fund, established through a donation by Professor Emerita Dr. Laurie Lankin, covers the cost of student memberships in local ATD and SHRM chapters. Dr. Lankin, a long-time coordinator of the program, highlighted the value of professional organizations in expanding students’ career perspectives.
Dr. Stephen stressed the significance of networking and engaging with professional organizations during advanced courses in the program. Thanks to the scholarship fund, Daniels and Whitehead secured student memberships and were selected for the ATD Greater Atlanta Chapter’s 2025 Mentoring Program.
This competitive program pairs students with experienced mentors in the talent development field and includes both in-person and virtual meetings, culminating in a capstone project. Daniels expressed excitement about gaining industry insights and guidance from her mentor, while Whitehead looked forward to expanding her professional network.
Dr. Stephen herself participates as a mentor, integrating her mentorship experiences into her teaching. She emphasized how the program transforms students’ perspectives from transactional to transformational relationships within their careers.
In addition to memberships, the fund supports students seeking certifications from professional organizations. Daniels plans to pursue her SHRM certification, which complements her degree completion. The fund also enabled Daniels and Whitehead to co-present research with Dr. Stephen at a recent conference.
Their presentation, “Hitting the Right Notes: Creating Harmony Between Teaching Style and Learning Preferences in Online Courses,” showcased their ability to engage and inspire through online learning. Both students expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by Dr. Stephen and the program.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://den.mercer.edu/hr-and-talent-development-program-offers-students-professional-opportunities/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.