Tara Mikell, Event Manager

Tara has joined the Conference Department at the University of Florida, Office of Professional and Workforce Development, as an Event Manager in August 2026. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Event Management from the University of Florida. Before joining UF, Tara worked in wedding and event coordination for a local venue, where she discovered her passion for bringing people’s visions to life and watching all the details come together to create memorable experiences. With a love for event planning and creating meaningful experiences, Tara is excited to take her passion to the next level and be part of the University of Florida community.

She is also looking forward to continuing to grow professionally, becoming certified in the event industry, and becoming an active member of MPI as she builds connections and expands her knowledge within the field. A lifelong Gainesville resident and lifelong Gator fan, joining UF is especially meaningful to Tara. She is thrilled to now have the opportunity to call the University of Florida not only home, but her workplace. Go Gators!

Outside of work, Tara enjoys going to concerts, trying new recipes and spending time in the kitchen, and making memories with her family. She also loves spending time with her dog, Harper. When she’s not planning events, you can usually find Tara enjoying a good movie with her family, discovering new music, or looking for the next fun experience to add to the calendar!