Embodiment. Energy. Community.

Tara attended the University of South Carolina, where she became much more than a student. She became the first female mascot in 10 years, the beloved "Cocky." While she jumped in to help with athletics, her primary role was positively impacting the state of South Carolina's low literacy rates through the reading program, "Cocky's Reading Express." She and a team of dedicated volunteers would travel to each county within the state and host an exciting and motivating program for young minds to encourage the importance of reading every day.

During her time at USC, she graduated magna cum laude with dual degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Retail Management and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality management.