Tacara Lovings to receive Parker Distinguished Alumni Award

Posted 3 p.m. Monday , Feb. 16 , 2026

Tacara Lovings to receive Parker Distinguished Alumni Award

Transforming lives through education is at the heart of UW-La Crosse's mission, and it is an aspiration that Tacara Lovings lives out every day.

In the 14 years since Lovings earned her bachelor's degree in from UWL, she has advanced from a role overseeing gymnastics and school-based services at a Los Angeles adaptive fitness center to her current role as executive director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Her steady climb within the public education system has included several roles but one driving purpose: to ensure all students and families are properly supported by removing barriers and inequities in our schools.

In recognition of her efforts, Lovings, '12 (exercise and sport science: physical education teaching), will receive the 2026 Parker Distinguished Multicultural Alumni Award. The award honors alumni who have made significant contributions to the advancement of multicultural understanding.

"Tacara has demonstrated to me a profound understanding of the inequities that exist in society and especially our schools," says Lisa McFarland, a French and alternative education instructor who worked with Lovings at Shorewood High School, just north of Milwaukee. "When this was coupled with her impassioned commitment to challenge injustices while teaching others in a nonjudgemental way, she became a catalyst for positive change within our school.

"Although we were sad she moved on, her dedication to justice along with her courageous leadership abilities inspired me to continue the work she began."

After working as a physical education teacher at the school district level, Lovings transitioned to a consultant role with the Wisconsin DPI, which allowed her to expand her impact and collaboration to districts throughout the state.

This included interpreting the state's health and physical education statutes and policies for school districts, leading initiatives to prevent drug and alcohol use, aligning the distribution of resources according to data and research.

In September 2022, she was promoted to the role of policy initiatives advisor-executive at the DPI, in which she assumed even greater responsibility of education policy and systems-level work while advising the State Superintendent's Office on key issues.

During this time, she held significant appointments including co-chair of the LGBTQ Employee Resource Group and member of the DPI Wellness Committee, the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council (JEDI), the Women of Color Employee Resource Group, and the Equity and Inclusion Plan Workgroup.

Despite her many commitments, Lovings has maintained close ties with UWL, including presenting on adapted physical education topics with Brock McMullen, director of UWL's Adapted PE program and serving as a state-level point of contact for all things education.

"Tacara is a shining example of the high-quality teacher preparation from UW-La Crosse," says Molly Herrmann, education consultant for the DPI. "During our time as colleagues, I have witnessed Tacara's commitment to supporting the development of multicultural education for the students, educators and future educators of Wisconsin."

Lovings' success - including her recent promotion to executive director of Strategic Initiatives - comes as no surprise to UWL Professor Emeritus Garth Tymeson.

Tymeson recalls teaching Lovings when she was a student at UWL, and soon realizing she was destined for great things.

"It has been exciting to watch her grow as a person and professional, contribute to her fields of expertise, advance multiracial culture and understanding, and contribute to the mission of UWL in multiple ways," he says.

About the awards

The UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation is honoring five highly accomplished graduates from 1983 to 2012 with its top alumni awards for 2026. These individuals are being recognized for their distinguished service and outstanding careers.

The award recipients will return to campus Saturday, April 11, 2026, for the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony. This event is open to the public, and all are welcome to join in celebrating these remarkable alumni and the pride of our UWL community.

See the full list of 2026 recipients.

Nominate outstanding alumni

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