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Officials at Baker College of Flint have announced Monica Foster as the recipient of the 2012 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship Award. Foster received a $2,500 scholarship that is awarded to a Baker student who demonstrates academic achievement and either a commitment to community service or a successful balance of work, family and school obligations.

“In addition to successfully balancing family obligations and a full class schedule, Monica is involved in many local community activities,” said Julianne T. Princinsky, Ed.D., Baker College of Flint President. “We are very pleased to present the 2012 Ed Kurtz scholarship to Monica this year.”

Foster graduated in June, earning a paraprofessional associate degree with an emphasis on early childhood education. Beginning this fall, she will work toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Teacher Preparation with an Early Childhood ZS Endorsement (General and Special Education). She anticipates graduating from Baker College of Flint in June 2014 and pursuing a career as a special education teacher.

In addition to school obligations, Foster is a wife and mother of four sons and is actively involved in several local organizations, including the Autism Support Group of Genesee County, the Grand Blanc Youth Wrestling Club, Grand Blanc little league baseball, Grand Blanc AYSO soccer and the Flint chapter of Gamma Beta Phi. She also owned a daycare for seven years and taught Sunday school for three years.

“During this period I discovered how much I enjoyed working with and teaching children,” said Foster. “My desire to enter the field of special education comes from 19 years of experience as a mother of four boys with ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome. I believe in giving back to the community and have been a strong advocate in my children’s education. Now it’s time to help other students achieve academic success.”

A Grand Blanc resident, Foster maintained a 3.76 Grade Point Average (GPA) at Baker College of Flint.

Baker College established this scholarship in 2004 in honor of Ed Kurtz, retired President and CEO of Baker College. Kurtz, a dynamic leader whose vocabulary does not include the word “impossible,” also exhibited extraordinary service to his neighbors, friends and community throughout his 34 years at Baker College. The Ed Kurtz Scholarship Fund honors the efforts of Baker students who exemplify Ed’s leadership style and who serve their communities as leaders and volunteers or balance work and family obligations.