Wanda Hadley

Dr. Hadley focuses her research on the academic and emotional adjustment issues first-year students with learning disabilities experience in their transition to college through the lens of student development theory. She has an extensive publication record of refereed monographs, book chapters, journal articles and international and national presentations about college students with learning disabilities. In 2015 in honor of the 25th year of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Dr. Hadley was recognized by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) as one of the 25 scholars in the United States conducting research about college students with learning disabilities. In April 2017, Dr. Hadley received the 2017 American College Personnel Association's Leadership Award for her research and scholarship about college students with learning disabilities. In October 2019, Dr. Hadley, along with the former Director of the U.S. Department of Special Education who served under President Barack Obama, was one of the invited panelists at Beacon College's 30th anniversary celebration symposium. Beacon College is the first accredited college in the country that focuses on graduating students with learning differences. In November 2021, she was an invited participant in the Public Broadcasting Television Station (PBS) on ASK the EXPERTS segment about "Students with learning disabilities: Preparation for College." In May 2023, Dr. Hadley was invited for second appearance on the Public Broadcasting Televison Station (PBS) on ASK the EXPERTS segment about "Mental health and neurodivergent students."

Courses Taught

Doctoral Dissertation (online), Higher Education Law and Ethics (online; hybrid), Organizational Change for Complex Systems (online), Higher Education Finance (co-taught), Doctoral Studies Seminar II (f-to-f), Doctoral Studies Seminar I (hybrid), Educational Leadership, Systems and Change (f-to-f; hybrid; online), College Students with Learning Disabilities (f-to-f; hybrid), Intervention Skills for Higher Education Professionals (f-to-f; hybrid), Theories of Leadership (co-taught), College Student Development (f-to-f)

Recent Grants

Fails Nelson, R. & Hadley, W. M. (Consultant) (2023). Urban Teachers’ Residency Program. U.S. Department of Education. $4,900.000.00 (funded).

Weller, B. E., Najor-Durack, A., Johns, S., Brown, S., & Hadley, W. M. (Consultant) (2023). The Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy. The Health Resources and Services Administration. $3,250.000.00 (funded).

Piazza, S.V., Hadley, W. M. (Co-Pi) & Zhang, W. (2023). Research and development center on supporting college students with learning disabilities. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. $4,234.299.00 (not funded).

Hadley, W. M. (Pi) (2022). Faculty mentoring students of color enrolled in doctoral programs. WMU Office of Faculty Development Instructional Grant. $5000.00 (funded)