Tara Carter

Tara Carter

Tara Y. Carter has a Ph.D. in Education (Community College Leadership) from Walden University. She also has a Master of Arts in English from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Johnson C. Smith University, a Historically Black College/University located in Charlotte, N.C. In April 2011, she completed her dissertation, “A Change is Gonna Come: Critical Race Theory and African American Community College Faculty Narratives.” Dr. Carter spent more than 13 years as a community college instructor/associate professor in English before assuming administrative/leadership responsibilities.

Dr. Carter is in her first month as the new Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Southside Virginia Community College. Prior to SVCC, she served as Dean for Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Technology at Blue Ridge Community College located in Weyers Cave, VA. In that role, she supervised 28 full-time faculty members, 2 lab technicians, and she oversaw the division budget. She was an active member in the college governance structure, serving as a member of the Planning, Curriculum, and Administrative Faculty committees. In the spring of 2013, she was elected as Vice Chair of Academics for the Virginia Community College Systems Council of Deans and Directors.

Prior to Blue Ridge, Dr. Carter served for three years as Dean for Arts, Communications, and Social Sciences at Kishwaukee College, located in Malta, IL. In that role, she supervised 22 full-time faculty members, over 60 adjuncts, the Director of the Forensics Team and the Art Gallery Director.

Dr. Carter has a passion for the community college, diversity, and inclusion. She is a seasoned presenter and has presented at professional conferences such as the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators conference, Oakton’s first Pan African Summit, the Two Year College Association for Teachers of English, and New Horizons. Selected Accomplishments: