Lauren K. Foster, PhD

Academic Director

Lauren K. Foster, PhD is an Academic Director at ACUE. Her professional dedication to transformative teaching and learning aligns with ACUE’s mission for student success. Dr. Foster finds inspiration from the results of learning, sharing, and implementing effective teaching practices in a professional learning community setting. Dr. Foster was drawn to ACUE to continue her work by supporting a wider range of faculty with more access to evidence-based teaching strategies. Her doctoral research focused on metacognition as a transformative process in teaching and learning, and she is thrilled to share her experience and expertise with faculty.

Dr. Foster has over a decade of teaching experience in higher education and five years in K-12 public education. She is an Assistant Professor of English and Writing, a certified Educational Therapist and Diagnostician, as well as an Education Consultant. Dr. Foster has served as a lead faculty in two Virginia state curriculum reform projects and provided training to more than 200 faculty across the state. Both reform projects impacted all 23 Virginia Community Colleges as well as many Virginia four-year colleges and universities. Dr. Foster holds a PhD from George Mason University, a Master’s in Education with a Curriculum and Instruction concentration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religious Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Foster also received a Certificate in Online Teaching Practices from Colorado State University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Literature from Morehead State University. Most recently, Dr. Foster completed ACUE’s full-credential program in Effective College Instruction and Canvas’ Certified Educator program. Dr. Foster has received the Quality Matters (QM) certification for her online teaching curricula.

In Spring 2022, Dr. Foster was awarded the Faculty Leadership Award, a Faculty Recognition Award, and The Richard Gossweiler Learning Centered Professorship Award from Germanna Community College for her dedication to teaching and faculty leadership. Dr. Foster has publications in TYCA-SE Journal, The Journal of Inquiry, and elsewhere.