The votes have been counted—now let’s talk about what they mean!

A dynamic educator, civic engagement expert, and political commentator, Tara brings a unique perspective to the conversation. She is the creator of the TEDx talk “The Constitution: It’s Personal” and is a two-time recipient of the St. Petersburg College Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award, receiving the honor in 2016 and again in 2026. She is also a recipient of the 2026 NISOD Faculty Excellence Award and a graduate of the SPC Leadership Program and the Florida Chancellor’s Leadership Program.

Tara’s expertise extends well beyond the classroom. She is co-host of “Battleground Florida,” featured on Tampa Bay’s NBC affiliate, WFLA Channel 8, and is a regular contributor to PBS’s “Florida This Week.” She and her students have participated in NPR’s America Amplified national listening sessions focused on voting and recent election cycles, and she contributes to WUSF’s “Florida Matters.”

Whether you followed every campaign, tuned in on election night, or simply want to understand what happened and what comes next, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Join us for good conversation, great company, and an opportunity to look beyond the headlines with someone who understands Florida politics and civic engagement from both the academic and real-world perspectives.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 5th. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tara Newsom is a Professor at St. Petersburg College (SPC), where she also serves as the founding Director of the Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement (CCLCE). Her academic focus is on strengthening student success through civic engagement and community-engaged learning, while helping students recognize and capitalize on the unique interests, talents, and skills they can bring to their communities.

Tara currently teaches American National Government, but her areas of expertise and teaching also include International Relations, State & Local Government, Political Parties & Elections, Constitutional Theory, and Ethics. Ensuring equal access to civil liberties for all students remains an important priority in her work.

Tara earned a B.S. in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and an LL.M. in Law & Government from American University Washington College of Law. Her early career included serving as a U.S. Senatorial Page, followed by roles as Policy Director for Michigan Governor Engler, Chief Counsel to Lieutenant Governor Posthumus, and a staff position with U.S. Senator Abraham and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration.

Before joining St. Petersburg College, Tara taught at Eastern Michigan University, Mississippi College, and Eckerd College.

A frequent voice on civic engagement and government, Tara delivered the TEDx talk “The Constitution: It’s Personal.” She is a two-time recipient of the St. Petersburg College Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award, receiving the honor in 2016 and again in 2026, and was also recognized with the 2026 NISOD Faculty Excellence Award. She is a graduate of the SPC Leadership Program and the Florida Chancellor’s Leadership Program.

Tara is the co-host of “Battleground Florida,” featured on Tampa Bay’s NBC affiliate WFLA Channel 8, and is a regular contributor to PBS’s “Florida This Week.” She and her students have participated in NPR’s America Amplified national listening sessions focused on voting and recent election cycles, and she contributes to WUSF’s “Florida Matters.”

Deeply committed to her community, Tara serves on the Pinellas County School Board’s Journey in Journalism Board and regularly volunteers with the League of Women Voters and the Florida Dream Center.

Tara lives in Downtown St. Petersburg with her family and their beloved golden retriever, Francis.