Tara Ross
MPS Class of 2027, Global Development
- Pronouns: She/her
- Grand challenge: Advancing sustainable agricultural policies that strengthen global food security, support rural livelihoods, and promote economic growth.
- Connect: LinkedIn
- Email: tmr222 [at] cornell.edu
Tara is a native of Lamar, Arkansas, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Arkansas Tech University in 2023. Growing up in rural Arkansas inspired her passion for agriculture, leadership, and creating opportunities that strengthen the agricultural industry and the communities it serves.
In 2024, Tara was selected as one of only 14 college students nationwide to participate in the prestigious Wallace-Carver Fellowship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. As a Student Trainee in the Office of Human Resources Management's Talent Management Division, she supported the Learning and Development branch under the direction of the Deputy Chief Learning Officer.
She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that support the future of agriculture and hopes to build a career focused on agricultural policy, sustainability, and international development. Through service, collaboration, and innovation, she strives to make a lasting impact on the agricultural industry both in the United States and around the world.