Education

PhD, Public Administration & Policy, Old Dominion University

MPA, University of Texas Arlington

MPP, George Mason University

BS, Journalism, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

Biography

Dr. Tihara Richardson Sommers has worked in the public and nonprofit sectors for more than 15 years. Her professional experience in the public sector includes administrative work with the Superior Court of California, the Florida Board of Nursing, and the Fairfax County (VA) Department of Tax Administration. Tihara performed investigative work with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Consumer Services Unit in the Florida Department of Health. She also has experience in the non-profit sector through her work in residential therapeutic group homes.

Tihara is a Bill Anderson Fund (BAF) Fellow (2021-2023). The mission of the BAF is to expand the number of underrepresented professionals in the field of hazards and disaster research and practice. Her research interest areas include emergency management, community resilience, health policy, and social equity. Currently, she is examining long-term care facility response to natural disasters.

Tihara holds an MPA from the University of Texas Arlington and an MPP from George Mason University. Tihara is also a proud Rattler, who earned her B.S. in Journalism from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Tihara is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. In her spare time, she likes to relax with her husband and two doggie babies Max and Scooby.