[5][6] She is a professor and associate dean of mathematics and computer science at Elizabeth City State University.
[2][4] After this work she returned to graduate study in mathematics education, with Winson R. Coleman and Mary W. Gray at American University.
She completed her Ph.D. there in 1988; her dissertation was The Impact of an Intervention Program for High Ability Minority Students on Rates of High School Graduation, College Enrollment, and Choice of a Quantitative Major.
[2][3][4][8] After earning her first master's degree in 1972, Hayden joined the mathematics department at Kentucky State University as an assistant professor.
At Elizabeth City State University, she founded the Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research,[4] with the goal of increasing minority participation in environmental science.