As College Possible celebrates 25 years of helping students access and succeed in higher education, we’re spotlighting staff whose leadership and dedication have helped shape the organization’s impact.
Nikki Foster, senior director of operations, has spent the past 12 years ensuring College Possible has the systems, processes and structures in place to support students, coaches and staff nationwide.
A calling rooted in service
Foster says she was drawn to College Possible because its mission aligned closely with the work she was doing in her personal life as a children and youth ministry director at her church.
“I’ve always had a passion for working with youth,” she says. “Being part of their development and watching them reach their potential was something I took to heart.”
College Possible’s belief that students deserve access to college and the support to succeed once they get there resonated deeply with her values.
What continues to motivate her more than a decade later, Foster says, is knowing how critical the mission remains today.
“When the hands of time seem to be rolling back, and progress in educational opportunity feels threatened, it becomes even more important to close the achievement gap and help students navigate the challenges that stand in the way of success,” she says. “A strong academic foundation is something no one can take away.”
Behind the scenes, driving impact
In her role, Foster focuses on creating and maintaining the operational environments that allow staff to concentrate on delivering the mission.
“Although much of my work is behind the scenes, I take great pride in supporting colleagues who do student- and coach-facing work,” she says.
One of the moments that consistently reminds her of the magnitude of College Possible’s impact is kick-off, the organization’s annual training and onboarding event for new coaches. While the months leading up to the event can be intense, Foster says the experience itself is energizing.
“You can feel the excitement of the new coaches,” she says. “They come in with idealism, determination and a strong sense of purpose. Even before they’ve started working, their collaboration and commitment make it clear how important this mission is.”
Growth, evolution and opportunity
Over her tenure, Foster has seen College Possible grow rapidly — expanding into new regions, increasing the number of schools and students served, and evolving its programs to meet changing needs. She’s also seen the organization embrace new technologies that strengthen service delivery while staying grounded in its mission.
For students who may not have initially considered college, Foster says College Possible opens doors to new possibilities.
“It’s about helping students see options they didn’t know existed,” she says. “Providing access to knowledge and resources, offering inspiration and hope, and supporting them once they get to college so they can persist through graduation.”
Her advice to students reflects that belief: Take up space. Know you belong. Don’t shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Stay the course, even if it takes longer than planned. And ask for help.
“Needing help is not a sign of weakness or failure,” she says.
More about Nikki Foster
Nikki Foster is the senior director of operations at College Possible, a college access and success organization that helps students access college and persist through graduation. She supports staff across the organization by building and maintaining systems, processes and operational structures that allow teams to focus on delivering high-quality student- and coach-facing services. During her 12 years at College Possible, Foster has supported the organization’s expansion into new regions, the growth of sites and programs, and the adoption of new technologies that strengthen service delivery. Her work helps ensure College Possible remains adaptable, effective and grounded in its mission to create opportunity for students.
