Tara Titone has been named the new director of the LSU Hilltop Arboretum, a “living” museum of native plants in Baton Rouge, where students and faculty conduct research.
“We look forward to working with Tara! We are sure the under her stewardship the Hilltop Arboretum, a corner of Paradise in the middle of Baton Rouge, will continue to grow and blossom!” said Alkis Tsolakis, Dean of the College of Art & Design and interim director of the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture.
Titone has over 20 years’ experience working in the private, public and nonprofit sector. From her time spent between landscape architecture firms in New York, NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Baton Rouge, LA, she has specialized in leadership, fundraising, community outreach and sustainable design. She received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree from Louisiana State University.
Previously, Titone served as Director of Finance and Economic Development and Chief Operating Officer of Build Baton Rouge, where she directed all agency operations and oversaw the design and implementation of community-driven programs and master plans.
Titone enjoys interacting with a wide array of stakeholders, community partners and volunteers, as well as design professionals and consultants, as she believes that exceptional spaces require the thoughtful assembly of diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise.
She will oversee the nationally-recognized Hilltop facility for research, teaching and service activities and assist the Friends of Hilltop Arboretum with fundraising for operational support and educational programs to engage the broader community.
About Hilltop Arboretum
The LSU Hilltop Arboretum is a 14-acre museum of native plants located on historic Highland Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The award-winning facility designed by Lake|Flato Architects of San Antonio, Texas, offers beautiful views of the natural landscape, including a pond with an elevated wooden boardwalk surrounded by native aquatic plants. The arboretum showcases an extensive collection of more than 150 species of Southern native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Hilltop strives to educate its audience about the importance of sustainable design for a healthier future and how each of us can make a difference within our own community.
The arboretum is striving to be a nationally recognized center for the study of plants and landscape design. An integral part of the College of Art & Design, students and faculty of the college, particularly the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, use the arboretum for research, teaching, and service activities. The Friends of Hilltop Arboretum are continually developing education programs to engage the broader community, and through fundraising and programming, are providing operational support.
Learn more about Hilltop Arboretum.
Learn more about the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture.
Allison Young, assistant professor of art history, is a 2023 recipient of an Award to Louisiana Artists and Scholars (ATLAS) grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents for her current book project on the South African born artist Gavin Jantjes.
Dean Alcibiades “Alkis” Tsolakis of the LSU College of Art & Design has received the prestigious honorary membership from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). ASLA has announced its 2023 Honors Recipients highlighting some of the most noteworthy landscape architecture practitioners and firms nationwide. Selected by ASLA’s board of trustees, the honors represent the highest recognition ASLA bestows each year.
