Advancing Talent Development: Steps Toward a T-Model Infused Undergraduate Education

Talent development is key to organizations keeping pace with the rapidly changing social and technological developments of today’s workplace. Companies are calling for talent that possesses a mastery of discipline and systems, combined with an ability to handle cross-functional, multicultural teams, projects, and assignments. Colleges and universities face challenges in preparing students across all the competency dimensions employers demand.

The T-model configures academic and professional development in a way that allows institutions to provide students with a solid foundation, one built through rich academic and co-curricular experiences that allow them to grow and adapt to the evolving workplace. The T-model comprises five key elements: mastery of academic discipline, system understanding (systems thinking), boundary spanning competencies, interdisciplinary understanding, and a strong sense of self (the ME of the T). In this volume, readers are introduced to the dynamics of the workplace that generate the need for T-professionals, followed by discussion of each of the five key elements of the T-model. Readers are then introduced to and shown how representatives from different segments of higher education infuse the T-model across the curriculum. The book’s final section offers insights from industry professionals on the necessity to grow as a T, once a new graduate enters the workforce.

Philip Gardner, PhD, leads the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University. For 34 years, the institute has pursued research focused on the transition from college to work, early socialization in the workplace, national labor market trends from new college graduates, and experiential education. Phil initiated work on the T-model 10 years ago and is a strong advocate for the model as a means to reimagine undergraduate education. He served as a Fulbright Specialist to New Zealand; has been recognized by CEIA and WACE for his research in advancing work-integrated learning; and was recently elected to the NACE Academy of Fellows.

Heather Maietta, EdD, is an associate professor in the Doctorate of Higher Education Leadership at Regis College. Her research areas include college to workforce readiness and the T-model; first generation doctoral student completion; and forced transfer students. Heather is a board certified coach who maintains a successful career and executive coaching practice careerinprogress.com where she has consulted for organizations such as Stanford, Johnson & Johnson, Florida International, 3M, Marriott, and Staples.