From First-Gen to Financial Leader: Chris Foster's Journey Chris Foster, associate vice president of student accounting and integrated planning at the University of North Texas in Denton, shares his path from being a first-generation college student to leading transformative student services initiatives. His story begins with a pivotal moment in a Texas Tech University hallway, where a kind financial aid staff member helped chart his college path—an experience he carries with him through his guiding principle that "Some stranger somewhere remembers you because you were kind to them." At UNT, Foster has spent 17 years reshaping student financial services, most notably through the creation of UNT One Stop—a comprehensive service center that breaks down traditional departmental silos to provide seamless support for students and their families. This innovative approach combines admissions, financial aid, student accounts and other essential services into one unified experience, reflecting Foster's commitment to simplifying the student journey. Drawing from his personal experience as a work-study student who learned higher education finance from the ground up, Foster champions a leadership philosophy centered on understanding "the why" behind processes and empowering team members at all levels to contribute solutions. His approach emphasizes relationship building across departments and the importance of taking chances on people, much like the mentors who shaped his own career path in higher education. Links

• Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts!
  • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief