Tara Fischer ’02 Elected to National Governing Board of Phi Beta Kappa
Tara Fischer, at Dickinson's 2024 Commencement ceremony. Photo by Dan Loh.
Associate provost for student success & advising becomes one of only 24 members of the governing board
Tara Vasold Fischer ’02, associate provost for student success & advising, has been elected to the national governing board of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Fischer's election marks a significant milestone in her career, reflecting her longstanding commitment to inclusive excellence in liberal-arts education.
Founded in December 1776—and with chapters at 249 of the foremost institutions of higher education in the U.S.—Phi Beta Kappa counts as its members 16 U.S. presidents and notable figures such as Alexander Graham Bell, Pearl Buck, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry James, Helen Keller, Booker T. Washington and Eli Whitney. Each year less than 1% of college undergraduates are elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
“Phi Beta Kappa is, without a doubt, one of the structures in my life that I point back to as literally holding the key to opportunity for me,” says Fischer, a first-generation college graduate and president of Dickinson’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the alpha chapter of Pennsylvania. “My work with this organization over the past two decades has sought to help make this same opportunity accessible to all.”
Fischer says she looks forward to contributing to the organization's mission of promoting excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and ensuring these fields remain accessible and relevant. Her primary career focus is helping individuals de-code access and choice within higher education—and beyond.
“Higher education can be complicated, even for our highest-achieving students,” says Fischer, who is now one of only 24 members of the Phi Beta Kappa Senate and the first person from Dickinson to be honored with membership. “I’m committed to helping individuals and organizations understand the value of the liberal arts and sciences and how an integrated academic and career development approach is key to the work we do for and with our students and graduates.”
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Published August 8, 2024