Tara L. Fikes joined the School of Government as an adjunct instructor in 2017. In 2014, she retired after 30 years serving as the housing, human rights, and community development director for Orange County, NC. In that role, she administered federal and state housing and community development programs and was instrumental in the county’s initial development of many affordable housing plans and initiatives. Fikes is an active member of various professional and community-based organizations, particularly in her local community of Durham, where she serves on the board of trustees for Durham Technical Community College. She earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University, an MPA from North Carolina State University, and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California.
