About Me
Hi, I'm Tara - an enthusiastic and driven professional with a passion for making a positive impact. I'm excited to explore new opportunities and contribute my skills and experience to your organization.
Skills and Expertise
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Support Services
Customer Service, Advising, Admissions, Coaching, Mentoring, Career support
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Learning & Development
Professional Development, Training, Content Curation, Hiring, Onboarding, Leadership, Performance Management
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Workforce Development
Strategic Workforce Planning, Workforce Management, Operations, Workforce Training, Research, Industry Trends, Compliance, Continuing Education
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Instructional Design
Articulate, Gamma, Canva, Camtasia, Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Padlet, H5P
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Management
Agile methodologies, Task Prioritization, Stakeholder Management, Budgeting
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Research
Qualtrics, Tableau, PowerBi, Qualitative & Quantitative, UX
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Communication & Organization
Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Slack, SmartSheet, Salesforce, Workday
Work Experience
Department Manager
Wake Tech, 2023 - Present
Manage and lead a department of over 80 employees to support organizational goals and student success. Design and deliver professional development. Mentor/coach leadership team members and collaborate in cross-functional teams to create policy and support initiatives. Oversee performance management and department assessment.
Associate Department Manager
Wake Tech, 2022 - 2023
Manage and lead one campus of large department. Schedule classes for thousands of students. Perform observations . Mentor/coach employees. Serve on cross-functional teams to create policy and support initiatives. Support employee professional development. Developed department assessment program.
Instructor/Program Director
Johnston CC, 2013 - 2021
Designed, developed, facilitated courses in face-to-face, hybrid, online formats. Designed/delivered professional development. Developed/directed academic programs. Developed/coordinated institutional events. Served as academic advisor. Served on cross-functional committees/teams to support strategic planning.
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MBTI
INFJ
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DISC
D, S
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Clifton Strengths
Input, Learner, Achiever, Intellection, Individualization
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Daring Greatly
Responsibility, Integrity, Making a Difference
Education and Qualifications
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Bachelor of Arts, English Education
North Carolina State University | 1999
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Master's of Education, Curriculum & Instruction
North Carolina State University | 2000
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Graduate Certificate, Multicultural Literature
East Carolina University | 2007
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Doctorate of Philosophy, Educational Research and Policy Analysis: Adult and Community College Education
North Carolina State University | 2013
Creative Content Showcase
Explore my portfolio showcasing a range of content I crafted for diverse programs and events. From designing department SharePoint sites to creating captivating marketing materials, and logos. See also the social media content I curated to showcase student, faculty, staff, and community engagement at the events I directed.
Achievements and Awards
Presentations
Johnston Community College Lunch & Learn (2021)
Using Padlet in the online environment.
Johnston Community College Faculty/Staff Conference (2021)
Creating Culturally Responsive Campuses. (Presentation)
AAACE (American Association of Adult and Continuing Education) 2019
Expectations of Student Writing in Higher Education: Are they Equitable? Do they Build Useful Skills? (Concurrent Session)
AAACE (American Association of Adult and Continuing Education) 2018
The Age of Dual Enrollment: Benefits, Challenges, and a Path for Improvement (Roundtable)
The Evolving Dynamic of the Intergenerational Classroom (PechaKucha)
Johnston Community College Faculty/Staff Conference 2017
JCC Honors Program: Extending the One College Experience
NCAEA (North Carolina Adult Education Association) 2012
Online Education and the Adult Learner
AACC (American Association of Community Colleges) 2011
Community College Career Model of Professional Development (Poster Session)
CSCC (Council for the Study of Community Colleges) 2011
NC State’s Model of Community College Faculty Development: From Faculty Teaching to College Administration
CPAE (Commission of Professors of Adult Education) 2010
Hiding in Plain Sight: Exploring the Pathways and Roles of Women Adult Learners
Publications
Sitzes, J., Akroyd, D., & Thompson, T. (2021). Program services for veteran students in North Carolina community colleges: Perception of administrators and students. Community College Enterprise.
Thompson, T. (2017). Foundations of Adult and Continuing Education: Book review. Adult Learning. 29(1).
Thompson, T. (2017). The Adult Ed. chasm: Addressing the disconnect between community colleges and Adult Education. Adult Learning 29(2).
Thompson, T. (2013). Female adult learners in rural community colleges: A case study of role perception and navigation for student mothers (dissertation).
Speaking Engagements
Guest speaker at JCC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony 2018.
Guest speaker at WTCC Staff Leadership Graduation Ceremony
Scholarship Recipient
1995 - 1999 North Carolina Teaching Fellow
2011 Recipient of the Anderson/Glass Fellowship
2012 Recipient of North Carolina Adult Education Association Scholarship
2012 Recipient of the Scott Fellowship for Community College Research
2014 National Dissertation of the Year Nominee for Council for the Study of Community College
Volunteer Work
Community Outreach
Participated in community service projects such as dinner service at local food pantry.
Mentorship
Served as a volunteer teaching assistant for local elementary teacher one day per week to assist with administrative work and student engagement.
Research Support
Participate in a longitudinal longevity student (ADRC) to understand memory over time. This supports Alzheimer's research.
Hobbies and Interests
Lifelong Learner
Women's Basketball Enthusiast
Avid animal supporter
Contact Information