Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute Welcomes New Executive Director

Seton Hall University is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Tarke, DHSc, as the new executive director of the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute. With a background deeply rooted in advocacy and education, Tarke brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to servant leadership and a passion for fostering diversity and inclusion to the role. 

Born to Cuban exiles from Havana, Tarke considers her Cuban heritage as the cornerstone of her life's dedication to the service to others. Most recently, Tarke founded and served as executive director and president of Bridge to Visibility, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized healthcare providers. Under her leadership, Bridge to Visibility pioneered initiatives to address awareness of disparities, inequities and issues of underrepresentation in health professions. Tarke is also an active volunteer at a number of organizations dedicated to the ending of human trafficking and food insecurity. 

"We are pleased to welcome Lori Tarke to our University community. With her multifaceted experience in education, grants and fundraising, diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as community engagement, Tarke will strengthen the Institute’s mission to advance, educate and transform students into the next generation of servant leaders," said Jonathan Farina, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Tarke has ambitious, exciting ideas for how the Unanue Institute can expand mentorship, scholarship, and academic programming, including some international learning opportunities, for Seton Hall students."

As director of Clinical Sites, Inclusion and Community Engagement at Saint Elizabeth University, Tarke similarly established national and internally recognized community resource groups with Latino, Black, LGBTQ and First-Generation communities. During this time, Tarke also created the globally implemented Hierarchy of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Learning and Development Model and led the development of various events and initiatives to increase the access and visibility of those underrepresented in medicine.

In addition to her nonprofit and academic endeavors, Tarke is also the leader and owner of LDT Consulting Agency, a consulting firm that works with more than 800 companies to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives.

"I am looking forward to serving the scholars, building on the good work done by my predecessors, and expanding our partnerships and programs to meet the needs of Seton Hall’s ever increasing Latino student population," Tarke said. "Additionally, I'm excited to raise awareness about our heritage and forge alliances with other campus and community organizations that recognize and celebrate our intersectionality."

Tarke earned a Doctorate of Health Sciences in organizational leadership from A.T. Still University and holds a Master of Education in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University. As an undergraduate student, she attended Rutgers University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. 

About the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute
Established through a generous gift from benefactors Joseph and Carmen Ana Unanue in 2005, the Latino Institute is dedicated to empowering Latino students. A center of excellence on campus, the Institute shines a light on Latino culture, bridges gaps in understanding about Latino heritage, and provides opportunities for Latino students to grow as compassionate servant leaders and achieve a rewarding education. 

For more information about the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, please visit the Institute’s website. 

Categories: Arts and Culture, Campus Life, Education