Jacob Foster

Jacob Foster is a lecturer at The Program on Intergroup Relations. Jacob brings a wealth of experience to their role, with a diverse background spanning various roles at the University of Michigan (U-M) and beyond.

Jacob's commitment to environmental and social justice is evident in their multifaceted career. As an undergraduate at U-M, they excelled as an expert facilitator within IGR. After gaining experience as a research editor, research assistant, and student mentor, Jacob returned to IGR while pursuing a graduate degree in social work. During this period, they served as a graduate student instructor for three semesters. They played a pivotal role as a meta-facilitator for IGR’s Summer Youth Dialogue program with Detroit area youth and participated as a cluster facilitator for IGR’s annual Institute, representing IGR to external audiences.

Beyond their contributions to IGR, Jacob has made impacts across U-M. They have served as a mentor for the Transfer Bridges program, established connections with community colleges as a student recruitment intern, and played a crucial role in building out the Mellon Foundation grant to support these connections.

Jacob’s experience and dedication to social and environmental justice drive their commitment to making a meaningful impact within the academic community, where they hope to inspire and support students and colleagues through their passion and expertise.