SC State’s Call Me MiSTER cohort engages with Orangeburg County’s school superintendent

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s Call Me MiSTER Program cohort of future educators recently attended an inspiring luncheon with Dr. Shawn Foster, superintendent of Orangeburg County School District.

Foster is a proud 2005 graduate of SC State having earned his Doctor of Education in educational leadership.

During the Oct. 24 event, Foster delivered impactful insights about navigating the teaching profession and provided advice on selecting the right school to begin one’s teaching career. Foster reminded SC State’s pre-service educators that education is about making a meaningful difference in students' lives. His story of perseverance and passion for education resonated deeply with attendees. 

“This opportunity to connect with a leader like Dr. Foster was a truly empowering event,” said MiSTER Samuel Mitchell, a sophomore elementary education major. “His journey shows us that we, too, can have a lasting impact on the next generation.”

SC State is leading the way in recruiting and training more African American male teachers for South Carolina classrooms through its Call Me MiSTER Program. The program is designed to provide a pipeline of highly effective African American male educators to South Carolina’s public schools who will serve their communities as mentors and role models.

Because SC State is an institution built in part on the legacy of teacher education, the Orangeburg County School District luncheon was not only a chance for students to hear real-world experiences but also a reminder of the strong ties between SC State and the local educational community. Through such events, the Call Me MiSTER program continues its mission of developing diverse, effective educators committed to uplifting their communities.

The MiSTERs were joined at the luncheon by Dr. Costonzo Bryant-Martin, the program’s campus director, and Dr. M. Evelyn Fields, dean of the SC State College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Call Me MiSTER is administered through the SC State Department of Education, a unit in the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences.

For more information regarding the Call Me MiSTER program, contact Bryant-Martin at cbryantm@scsu.edu or 803-536-8490. For more information regarding the Department of Education, contact Dr. George Johnson, at gjohns32@scsu.edu or 803-536-8793.