I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tara S. Singer as Omicron Delta Kappa’s next Executive Director. Dr. Singer brings more than three decades of experience in association management, communications and marketing, alumni engagement and development, and university administration to her new role as ODK’s fifth chief executive.
Dr. Singer was selected following a national search chaired by Dr. Steve Bisese, Vice President for Student Development at the University of Richmond. Dr. Singer’s appointment is officially effective as of June 3, 2013. In the interim, Dr. Singer will be spending time on transition planning and at ODK’s national headquarters in Lexington, VA.
Dr. Singer has a breadth of experience at large, complex institutions. Her experiences include managing a range of budgets for university departments and divisions, affiliated foundations, and membership organizations; developing successful marketing campaigns at both Indiana State University as well as for the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Alumni Association; and developing comprehensive alumni engagement programs at West Georgia and Louisville, her alma mater.
Additionally, Dr. Singer has coordinated numerous state, regional, and national conferences and conventions for numerous professional organizations including NASPA, CASE, NODA and SACSA as well as chairing the University System of Georgia’s Chief Advancement Officers group from 2006 to 2007. She has edited and co-authored various publications, including one book and several articles in national publications.
Dr. Singer’s extensive administrative experience in staff supervision, budget development, publications development, and long-range strategic planning make her the ideal choice to lead our Society at a pivotal time in our history and as we prepare to celebrate our centennial.
A 1982 initiate of the Beta Epsilon Circle at the University of Louisville , Dr. Singer served as Faculty Secretary/Advisor from 2005 until 2007 while she served as Vice President for University Advancement at the University of West Georgia.
At a time when member engagement, Circle development, and alumni outreach are critical to ensuring ODK’s continued growth and viability on the higher education landscape nationally, I have every confidence that Dr. Singer’s energy, innovation, and passion for our Society’s work will position our Society for a promising second century.
My thanks to Dr. Steve Bisese and the members of the search committee – ODK Foundation President Gene Vance, National Student Vice President Steve Binninger, At-Large Board Member Dr. Mel King, National Advisory Council Member Dr. Kathy Smith, former At-Large Board Member Hillary Mintz, and ODK Foundation Trustee Russ Chambliss – for a successful search that was professionally administered and efficient. Special thanks to Ken Taylor who ably served our Society as Interim Executive Director during this critically important transitional period as we worked to identify our next chief executive.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Tara Singer on her appointment as ODK’s new Executive Director.
