Q&A: Director of emergency services highlights impact of Trojan Network
Dr. Christopher Foster, originally from a small town in South Georgia, has served in the military and holds a PhD in Emergency Management. In his current role as director of emergency services, he is responsible for the police and fire departments, creating VIP protection plans, and managing budgets. Dr. Foster, who graduated from the Master of Public Administration program online in May 2014, shares how the program and the USC Trojan Network broadened his perspectives and impacted his career trajectory.
Q: What factors motivated you to further your education?
A: One was the influence of some of my professors while I was in undergrad. At the time, I was a captain in the fire service, and several of my professors were also in the fire service. We had conversations regarding teaching and professionalizing the fire service. I started talking about getting my master’s degree, and they all told me that I really needed to look into an MPA program.
The second thing is that I had two children who were growing up. It was more about teaching them that anything’s possible if you put your mind to it. I couldn’t ask them to do things that I wasn’t willing to take on myself. That’s really what motivated me to go after my degrees.
Q: How did you first hear about the program and what drove you to pick USC’s MPA online over other graduate programs?
A: I was looking at online programs because I was living in Kentucky at the time. I applied to three [top programs], and USC was number one.
I [chose USC] for two reasons. One, USC was the best and the other was I wanted to go against the best. I wanted to challenge myself. To open my mind to an experience that I hadn’t had growing up. So that’s what really drove me to USC.
Q: What are your outcome goals and desires for this program?
A: To be honest, I just wanted to better myself. The goal was that I would learn more about how the inner workings work above. Something that I’d never experienced as a captain in the fire department. It would teach me higher-level thinking like mayors or city managers, or, in my case, commanders. I wanted to be able to think on a different level than what I had learned in the fire service.
Q: A cornerstone of the program is the in-person residencies. What was your experience with the residencies?
A: It was a phenomenal experience. I’m a huge college football fan. I got to walk around the practice field and I got to see the Osmond trophies. It’s the most beautiful campus in the country, and I’ve been to a lot.
Q: How did you balance the demands of study with your life, both personal and professional?
A: Balancing the demands of studying alongside being a husband, father, and having a career, all came down to communication. You have to surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. My wife, my kids, and I sat around and talked as I was applying to USC. We didn’t really know what the demands were going to be, but we knew it would be demanding. As the demands got harder, their support got stronger. If I was struggling, they were supportive. My boss was also supportive, and it was all because I had had these conversations.
Q: Let’s talk about the USC Trojan Network. How was your interaction with your professors and fellow students?
A: My interaction with professors was outstanding. Dr. Dora and Dr. Kelly were fabulous people. They were hard, they were tough, but they were caring. They were empathetic, and they wanted you to be successful.
I got injured when I was in the program. I had a really bad concussion, but I was so concerned about getting my project turned in that I jumped on my computer and wrote my paper. My professor actually called me. When my wife answered, he asked, “Is there something wrong?” She said, “He got in an accident.” Then he reached out to all my professors – that’s the Trojan network.
[As for the students,] I love them all. We had these extremely interactive conversations. It was all about opening our minds to different things. You can’t live in a box.
Q: What have you learned so far that you think will be most impactful in your career? Did it help you become a director of emergency services?
A: Dr. Kelly had a project where students had to go out and interview people at nonprofits. I was an introvert, an extreme introvert. [And with this project] there was nobody for me to lean on. So I had to do this. It was very impactful because it pulled me out of a shell.
If I was in a meeting or if I was in a group, I would let anybody else be the face. They could take the lead, and I would sit back and do all the data you wanted me to. I just didn’t want to be in the lead. Well, I was forced to be in the lead multiple times, and I think because of that, I have gone from a captain in a fire department to a director of emergency services. Simply because of that.
Q: Would you recommend the MPA degree online to a prospective student? What advice would you give a prospective student looking to join the Trojan Network?
A: I would recommend an MPA to any prospective student that wants to be a public servant in any capacity. If you want to challenge yourself, USC is a program that’s going to challenge you.
You’re smart, you got in your USC, Fight On! But everybody in your class is smart, so humble yourself and realize that you don’t always have to be right, and even if you are right, you still need to listen to what other people have to say. That’ll make you better at whatever goal you have.
Choose USC, you’ll never regret it. It is a network that you will not forget. And they won’t let you, even if you try. Be yourself, and humble yourself, and come in with eyes open, ears open, and listen to what your professors are telling you, and if you don’t understand something, ask the question.
Learn more about the Master of Public Administration Online today.