Fall — 2004

Robert Foster

Computer Science,
Associated Students Commissioner

“I tell anyone who’s a student at SMC that just taking classes isn’t the complete educational experience. It also involves being in a student club, in student government, and in joining up with others.”

Those were the days—footloose and fancy free—for Robert Foster, next year’s Associated Students Director of Academic Support. “Yeah, I took a few years off after high school. Saw the Grateful Dead a bunch of times, went to a Rainbow Festival or two, and was basically just traveling and meeting people in different regions of the country.” But having satisfied his wanderlust, Robert came to SMC and a real awakening.

“When I first started here, I didn’t have any direction, really, or any idea of what I wanted to study. I was on-again, off-again for a while, just taking classes. But now I have a directional focus, and my motivation is channeled. I got into computers and math, and I finished my Associate’s degree in Computer Science in December. And now I’m taking math and physics classes that are required for transfer to one of the UC schools.” When last spoken with, Robert—the guy who once had ‘no direction’—was wolfing up chapters of a physics text on ‘Momentum, Impulse & Collisions.’ And his own momentum and impulses led him to a happy ‘collision’ with the Associated Students.

“I want to keep learning and help others to learn, and being in student government is a great way to do that. I originally wanted to be the AS webmaster,” says Robert. “But I got to be a commissioner, instead, and next year—as Director of Academic Support—I’ll really be able to help students get the maximum benefits out of SMC. I know what to tell them because I found out the hard way,” he says with a rueful laugh. “I recommend to students that they meet with a lot of counselors and explore the options that programs like EOPS present them with. EOPS helped me refine my educational goals. And the counselors are there to help you refine your choices.” Robert, keep on truckin’!

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