Kathryn A. Foster, president of The College of New Jersey since 2018, announced this month that she will step down as president at the end of this academic year. Following a yearlong sabbatical, Foster, who holds a PhD in public and international affairs, will join the college’s political science faculty.
“After nearly 40 years in higher education, the last 11 of them as a president, I am motivated to return to the classroom,” Foster wrote in an email to the TCNJ community. “There are few things I have enjoyed more in life than working with students and supporting their success,” she added.
Rebecca Ostrov, chair of TCNJ’s Board of Trustees, praised Foster for her service.
“We are so grateful for President Foster’s steadfast leadership over the past five years,” Ostrov said in a message that accompanied Foster’s. “The compassion and thoughtfulness she brought to every aspect of her job as president was felt by all members of our community and brought us together in ways which were critically important during the most challenging of times.”
“We have weathered the COVID-era storms and emerged on the other side with greater resilience and insight into how to manage, teach, and persevere during times of crisis,” wrote Foster in her message. “We continue to embrace the lessons learned through this period to enhance our readiness and resolve for future disruptions.”
Foster has strengthened the institution in many other ways during her five years as president, including an expansion of transfer agreements with community colleges; the addition of accelerated bachelor’s to master’s programs, as well as new graduate and certificate programs; an increased focus on equity and inclusion; investments in infrastructure; and progress toward carbon neutrality.
Foster’s mark on the intellectual life of campus will continue to be felt through the Kathryn A. Foster Distinguished Visitor Series, which she established last December with a $250,000 gift to the college.
“This series will enhance the college’s reputation for being a nexus of broad-based and relevant dialogue on timely issues,” Foster said at the time. “Presenters will be ‘a person we need to hear from now,’ and I envision them engaging with members of our community on a range of cultural, artistic, scientific, and political topics.”
In her message, Ostrov indicated that the board will begin the search for interim leadership in the coming days. Foster, who looks forward to helping facilitate a successful transition, leaves her successor with a blueprint for the future — TCNJ 2027: Extending Our Excellence, a five-year strategy that positions the college for continued distinction, diversification, and financial sustainability.
“It has been an immense personal and professional privilege to serve The College of New Jersey as its president,” said Foster. “I have no doubt that TCNJ will continue to shine in public higher education, and I look forward to contributing in a new way to our shared good fortune.”
The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing 08618. Kathryn A. Foster, president. www.tcnj.edu.
