By Lesa Bush
The Scene staff
Donivan Foster is only 32 years old, but he recently landed one of the most important jobs on the Forest Park campus.
He replaced Philishea Ingram as manager of Campus Life, coordinating the activities of clubs and organizations and overseeing many student events.
“I’ve been here (in the new positon) since October, and I look at this as my zero year,” he said. “I’m still learning and gathering.”
Foster was sitting in his large, corner office on the first floor of the Student Center. The reception area was bustling with employees and students talking and laughing.
Foster came to work at Forest Park six years ago as an activities assistant in Campus Life after earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and black studies at Truman State University in Kirksville in 2005. He later moved up to the position of coordinator of student transition and orientation.
“What really made me want to focus on education was I saw a student (I knew) on campus, and I asked him what made him come to Truman State, and he said, ‘You told me to come,’” he said.
“From that point on, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, my words have an impact on people.’ It was very humbling. I had to go home and think about that.”
Foster grew up in Jennings. His father worked for Ameren, and his mother was a music teacher. He has two sisters.
As a boy, Foster always was very involved in extracurricular activities.
“He loved to swim,” recalls his father, Wallace Foster, 60. “He entered and won several oratorical contests. He sang in several choirs. He also (acted in) several plays in high school.”
Today, music still is a big part of Donivan Foster’s life. He travels around to churches with the gospel group Vessels of Praise.
As manager of Campus Life, Foster is sponsor of the Student Government Association. President Angela Johnson, 52, a hospitality services and tourism major, considers him a mentor.
“I have the utmost respect for him,” she said. “He’s made sure I was comfortable. He’s helping me learn the policies and procedures that go along with the job, and I can’t think of a time where he hasn’t made time for us.”
In the past six years, Foster has found that one of the biggest challenges for educators, particularly at community colleges, is to motivate students to stay in school. They often are older or pressured by other commitments.
Another challenge for him personally is to find enough hours in the day to take care of all his responsibilities in Campus Life.
“My ultimate goal is that students will get involved and translate it into something great,” he said. “I want it to be from the time they walk in the door that (they’re gaining) work experience, leadership experience, scholarships and just an overall holistic experience.”