An Indiana native with a passion for education and student success, Dara has spent her career helping students discover opportunities, navigate higher education and reach their goals.
Dara's career has been shaped by a deep commitment to serving students who may not always see themselves reflected in higher education. Before joining the advising team at Gatton, she spent six years with Partners for Rural Impact as a Program Manager for GEAR UP, supporting students and school districts across Kentucky. Her earlier experience at Berea College, where she worked in Student Life, further strengthened her belief in the power of relationships, belonging and student-centered support.
For Dara, working in education has always been about more than programs and numbers—it's about people. She loves connecting with students, helping them recognize their strengths and being the person who can make a complicated process feel a little easier. Her own experiences working across different areas of higher education have given her a unique perspective on the many paths students can take to achieve their goals.
When she's not working with students or planning the next program, Dara enjoys spending time with her family (she’s a boy mom) and being involved in her community. She is especially passionate about supporting local schools and activities and can often be found cheering from the sidelines at a high school event. She also loves traveling, exploring new places and finding good food along the way.
Dara spent time as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English in Mauritania, West Africa, an experience that helped shape her lifelong appreciation for different cultures, communities and the importance of building meaningful relationships wherever you go.
