Her Story
About Tara
Tara Kloker serves as Director of Health and Wellness for the dental school at the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Michigan. She has been in the Detroit area for about three years and has worked in higher education for almost 10 years. Kloker transitioned from a nearly 20-year career in athletic training to mental health counseling, adding the latter to her practice since 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree in community health and wellness from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Adams State University in Colorado. Her expertise encompasses wellness and well-being in higher education, nutritional psychology, and serving as the campus therapist. Kloker integrates her background in kinesiology and exercise science to support students, including through walking sessions, and works with dining services on nutritional practices. She is a member of NASPA and the American Counseling Association. Previously recognized as an athletic trainer in Oregon for building a sports medicine program, Kloker attributes her success to her family and values integrity, compassion, and humility in her work. She is involved with organizations including NAMI, the American Suicide Foundation, the Lady's Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Goodfellows of Dearborn, Michigan.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tara
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my family 100%. They instilled a good work ethic in me, teaching us to work to play rather than play to work. Being able to pursue what I'm passionate about has also been key, and my family has supported that throughout my career transitions from athletic training to mental health.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice is to ask the questions. Especially in higher ed, people say we're not looking to reinvent the wheel, but that's exactly what we should do if needed. We have a wheel, but does it have grip? Let's make sure we rip it down and check if it's the right kind of tread. We never stop growing and should always look for change rather than taking the lazy way out.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to be who they are in all areas of life. And when there's a door, ask how you get in it to affect positive change.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is still the stigma around mental health. It's not just in academia thinking it's weak, but also cultural relationships where understanding of mental health is almost otherworldly, making it hard to break through those beliefs. Another is that there's not enough of us, and everyone should have a therapist as that person with no skin in the game who won't judge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is a huge one. Compassion. Humility. And with humility, also a balance of acknowledgement of achievements.
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