Staff

Tara S. Singer was named as Omicron Delta Kappa’s fifth executive director in 2013.  Her current position is president and chief executive officer. She is also a trustee of the O∆K Society and Educational Foundation. A 1981 initiate of the Beta Epsilon Circle at the University of Louisville, Tara also served as the faculty officer for the University of West Georgia Circle from 2005-07. During her tenure as the Society’s chief executive, O∆K has added 55 new circles, consolidated its governance structure, doubled its scholarship offerings, and nearly completed its first-ever comprehensive campaign.

Tara was previously the assistant vice president for communications and marketing at Indiana State University. She has managed a range of budgets for university departments and divisions, affiliated foundations, and membership organizations; developed successful marketing campaigns for student recruitment at Indiana State University and for the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Alumni Association; and created comprehensive alumni engagement programs at the University of West Georgia and the University of Louisville. Additionally, Tara has coordinated numerous state, regional, and national conferences and has edited and co-authored various publications, including one book and several articles published nationally.

Tara is also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity and Mortar Board. Previously, she served Mortar Board as a member of that organization’s National Editorial Board and as an advisor for the Pallas Chapter at the University of Louisville. Tara is on the Board of Directors for the Wayne Theatre Alliance, a performing arts center and program in Waynesboro, Virginia. She earned all of her degrees at the University of Louisville including a Doctor of Education in educational administration, a Master of Arts in higher education administration, and a Bachelor of Arts with honors in American studies.

Tara is the mother of three sons. Scott Strednak Singer, a religion teacher and drama program advisor at a private school, and his wife, the Reverend Katie Strednak Singer, reside in Reston, Va.; Britt Singer who teaches English as a Second Language in Prague; and Chad Singer, an arborist, and his wife, Autumn Forschler Singer, reside in Bowling Green, Ky. Tara is also the proud grandmother of Iris Singer (born 2019). She and her partner Jeff Meadows reside in Waynesboro. Tara will be retiring from her current role in June 2023.

Timothy (Tim) A. Reed was named associate executive director for business and membership services in 2016. His current position is vice president for membership and operations. He is also O∆K’s chief operating officer (COO). His expertise includes leadership development, professional performance training, curriculum development, instruction, major event planning, and facilities management. He has presented extensively on leadership, organizational development, program planning, professional standards, and facility management.

With more than 30 years of experience, Tim has served in widely different university settings. As director of university student commons and activities and subsequently as the assistant dean of student affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, Tim led the curriculum and programmatic development of VCU’s third Living Learning Program (VCU-LEAD). He co-founded the VCU Emerging Leaders Program, now in its 12th year. Tim led efforts in professional development, SACS accreditation, assessment, and communications. As director of the VCU student centers, he led the largest expansion of student experiences in 15 years as well as three major renovation and construction projects for the university.

Prior to his service at Virginia Tech, Tim was the dean of students for Harlaxton College, the British campus of the University of Evansville.

Tim served on the Board of Trustees for the Association of College Unions (ACUI). He has also served as regional business manager and director, regional conference chair, and on a number of international committees. He also serves on the Harlaxton Society Board of Directors and has served on the numerous other boards and advisory committees.

Tim is a 1989 initiate of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Circle. In addition, he served as one of the re-chartering members and as the long-time faculty secretary/circle coordinator for the Virginia Commonwealth University Circle. He is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

He received a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from Virginia Tech, a Master of Arts in education from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies/interpersonal communication from the University of Evansville.

Tim enjoys reading, travel, biking, walking, and just spending time with his wife of many years, Lynn. He has three grown children and four grandchildren. Tim’s primary residence is in Chester, Va.

Brent Anderson joined Omicron Delta Kappa’s staff in August 2013. He brings a wide variety of accounting and management experience to his role as O∆K’s director of finance and extension. Brent earned his undergraduate degree and a Master of Accountancy with an emphasis in financial audit at Brigham Young University, and he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. In addition, Brent worked as a CPA for a national and a regional firm before moving to a high-tech corporation and an international export company.

Previously, at Southern Virginia University (SVU), in Buena Vista, Va., Brent managed the operations of the business office and interfaced with several university departments and divisions to increase productivity and budgetary compliance. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors of the Delta-Montrose Electric Cooperative and as president of the Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce in Colorado.

Brent is active in church service and leadership as well as involved in community service in Tooele, Utah, where he resides with his wife Brooke, a SVU graduate, online seminary instructor, and public school substitute teacher. They are the parents of four children and ten grandchildren.

Jamie F. Bouldin joined Omicron Delta Kappa in August 2021 as the director for membership services. Prior to working for the Society’s National Headquarters, she worked at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) for 12 years in roles related to leadership and service programs, academic advising, and career and professional development. Jamie has presented at the local, regional and national level on topics of leadership programming, service learning, and career development, has published two articles in the Campus Activities Programming magazine, and co-authored a chapter in the book, “Engagement and Employability: Integrating Career Learning Through Cocurricular Experiences in Postsecondary Education” (NASPA Press, March 2017).

Jamie is a 2004 initiate of the SFA Circle and has been a longstanding national volunteer. She is a recipient of the Robert L. Morlan and Robert Bishop Outstanding Circle Advisor Award. Jamie is also a recipient of the Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award and is a member of the Five Star Society.

Jamie earned her a Bachelor of Arts with a major in journalism from SFA. Her master’s degree, with a major in college student personnel, is from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Jamie lives in Nacogdoches, Texas, with her husband, Chris, and their two children, William and Ethan.

Michelle Dilk joined O∆K in August 2019 as assistant director for external relations. She was promoted to director for external relations in July 2021. In her role with O∆K, she assists with scholarship administration, fundraising, stewardship, and campaign planning. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in history from Old Dominion University. Previously, Michelle worked for a real estate group in New York City.

Michelle lives in Lexington, Va. and is an active member of the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees. In her free time, Michelle enjoys traveling, cooking, and going on long walks.

Anne Tyler McCabe joined our staff in August 2017 as the Membership Services Coordinator.  She serves members by being the first point of contact at the national headquarters, managing new members and circle officers in our database, and connecting members to national ODK resources.  Anne Tyler earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.  She is an initiate of the Hampden-Sydney College circle.

Anne Tyler lives in Lexington, Va. and is an active member of Grace Episcopal Church. She is the proud mother of two Hampden-Sydney men, Michael and Brooks McCabe.  In her free time, Anne Tyler enjoys cooking, reading a good book, and spending time with her dog, Dash.

Ellen Pennine joined the staff at Omicron Delta Kappa as financial services manager in May 2021. She brings a lifetime of business and customer relations experience with her. Ellen is originally from Providence, Rhode Island, and she moved to Lexington, Virginia, in 1992.

Ellen came to Virginia with a business management background. While raising her son, she started in the hospitality industry by managing a full service hotel. It was then that she found herself a believer in the importance of customer relations and retention.

With the Lexington area being rich in the horse industry, and with some encouragement from her sister, Ellen became a member on the advisory board for Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center. She then went on to hold the position of barn manager and treasurer for three years. During this time, Ellen discovered the important role that non-profit organizations have in shaping the community and providing much needed outreach.

Ellen enjoys traveling to new places, trying foods from different cultures, and spending time with friends and family.

Amy A. Newman joined Omicron Delta Kappa in July 2021. Before working for the Society’s National Headquarters, she worked for O∆K for many years as a freelance graphic designer. In her role with O∆K, she assists with print and digital design and communications for magazines, recruitment materials, fundraising, social media, websites, e-newsletters, and more.

Amy is both owner of and Creative Director for Push Design LLC and has more than 25 years of experience in graphic design, advertising, and marketing. Amy’s clients range from non-profit agencies to global and Fortune 500 corporations.

Amy also worked as an Art Director for the office of Communications and Marketing at the University of Louisville. She also earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design and Visual Communication with a minor in photography from the University of Louisville.

Amy lives in Crestwood, Kentucky, with her husband, Paul, their son Evan, dog Ollie, and two cats, Gryfinn and Willow. She enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, photography, and arts and crafts in her free time.

Throughout her education and career, Omicron Delta Kappa has remained an important part of Cie Cochran’s life. Over the past 18 years, her involvement has ranged from serving as a circle president, a term as the East Caucus student representative for the Society Board of Directors, a member of the Council of Regional Directors for Region 1 and vice chair of that group for one term. She has also served as a faculty secretary, a member-at-large on the Board of Directors, and chair of the National Advisory Council. She also re-chartered the University of Miami’s O∆K alumni circle in her service. In more recent years, Cie has served on the Board of Trustees and as the co-chair of the Strategic Planning Task Force. She is a 2004 recipient of Omicron Delta Kappa’s Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award and a 2022 recipient of the Society’s Cheryl M. Hogle Distinguished Service Award.

Cie is working with the National Headquarters in the 2022-23 academic year to support the search for the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Omicron Delta Kappa. She is also assisting with the promotion of the Society’s member benefits. In addition, Cie is the owner of SMT Grant and Non-profit Services and serves as an independent grant writer and non-profit liaison for organizations in the region.

Cie earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Miami where she also started her career in higher education. Early in her career, Cie worked in the Department of Student Activities and Leadership Programs. She continued her work with students and leadership development at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. where she worked in the Center for Student Involvement. Cie then began a career in alumni relations and served as the director of alumni engagement for the University of Miami Alumni Association where she was responsible for the management of alumni weekend, reunions, and affinity engagement initiatives. Following her career at Miami, Cie left higher education to work as the director of development for a women’s shelter.

In addition to attending as many Miami Hurricane football games as possible, Cie enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and volunteering in the community. Cie currently serves on the boards for several local organizations focused on youth in the arts and the human services sector. Cie is also a proud Cub Scout Den Leader and Girl Scout Troop Leader. Cie and her husband Myles Cochran (University of Miami, 2002), along with their three children, presently live in Bentonville, Ark.