Dionne Foster: 'Your College Experience Is What You Make of It'

As May is upon us, anticipation for graduation is increasing for seniors who are ready to leave George Mason University behind and enter the “real world”. This is no exception for senior Dionne Foster. With the end of the school year approaching fast, Foster is excited to be graduating and is starting to look towards the future.

Foster entered Mason as a freshman in the fall of 2006. Her involvement in clubs at Mason reflects what she was taught as a sociology major. Foster is co-president of Amnesty International and is a part of the Alternative Break program. One of the best experiences of college for her came through an Amnesty International event that she organized herself. It was an event on the death penalty and race. “We filled up the room we had and it was a really awesome moment. It was the first big event I’ve organized,” Foster said.

Additionally, Foster is really involved with community service and has participated in two major trips during the past school year. During the winter, Foster traveled to New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward with the Lower 9 project group to help rebuild homes for displaced families after Hurricane Katrina. She helped by doing lots of sanding of wood and debris removal. Foster enjoyed meeting the people who lived there and listening to all of their stories.

Foster took another trip during Spring Break to New York City for HIV/AIDS outreach and service. While there she worked with Gay Men’s Health Crisis to help prepare for the AIDS walk, with FROST’D, Foundation for Research on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, to encourage people on the street to get tested and handed out condoms, and with Hearts and Voices to help set up for performers at Hospice Care Centers for those with AIDS.

When she isn’t donating her time to help others, Foster likes to relax and read poetry. She also really likes food and going out to eat. When asked what the perfect day would be for her, Foster gave an answer quite expected. “Sunny with some water nearby and fireworks. A good day with friends, oh and world peace.” Foster said. She would also, along with the rest of allergy sufferers, like pollen to disappear!

Now that graduation is around the corner, Foster is taking time to reflect on her time at Mason. “I don’t feel like I’m graduating. It will be an interesting transition.” Foster said.

She had this advice for freshmen that are unsure what to think of the college experience. “Get involved and find out what you care about. Being involved benefits your community and yourself” she said, “Your college experience is what you make it. Whether you get involved with community service, Greek Life etc.. It’s really about self exploration.”

After graduation Foster wants to find a job at a non-profit organization that deals with human and women’s centered rights. She also wouldn’t mind some traveling, especially to Uganda, Australia or India. There is no question that Foster is excited to be graduating. Another thing is for sure; Mason, and the community at large, can expect great things out of Dionne Foster post graduation.