Tara S. Singer
Senior Consultant
For Dr. Tara S. Singer, higher education is the family business. Practically raised on the University of Louisville campus starting at age six when her father became a faculty member, the Kentucky native knew from a young age that she had an innate passion for academe. When her mother began working in student affairs, Dr. Singer discovered the world of college administration and found her calling. After more than four decades in an array of higher education and leadership positions, Dr. Singer lends her expertise to Academic Search as a Senior Consultant.
Dr. Singer recently retired as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Omicron Delta Kappa, the prestigious national leadership society, after ten years at the helm. Under her leadership, O∆K completed the organization’s first-ever multi-million-dollar comprehensive campaign. In addition, Dr. Singer oversaw the expansion of the honor society to 55 campuses across the country, coordinated the activities of O∆K’s Board of Trustees, and served as editor-in-chief of its publications. As the Society’s CEO, Dr. Singer forged relationships with students, faculty, and administrators at institutions across the nation, allowing her to stay current on the challenges higher education faces and maintain an invaluable network of professionals.
Before joining O∆K, for more than 30 years Dr. Singer held various higher education roles. She began her career working in athletic academic advising at the University of Louisville, and she was later hired as an Associate Registrar and a leader in the enrollment management division. After completing her doctorate, she became Louisville’s Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Alumni Association.
In 2004, Dr. Singer left her longtime home and was named Vice President for University Advancement at the University of West Georgia. In this role, she oversaw alumni relations, athletics, communications and marketing, development, governmental affairs, and printing services. Later, Dr. Singer was the head of the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Alumni Association, and then Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Indiana State University. Through these positions, Dr. Singer developed an affinity for institutional advancement positions and gained invaluable knowledge of university governance.
As a Senior Consultant, Dr. Singer can utilize her rich experiences and exceptional ability to recognize executive leadership talent. She is guided by a sincere love of higher education and helping people make their next career move. Dr. Singer’s work in consulting is personal, and she sees it as an opportunity to pay it forward to all the people who guided her and helped shape her professional life.
