Foster to Lead NGU as Provost and Dean of Faculty
Posted on: June 4, 2026
Tigerville, SC—Dr. Jan Foster will serve as North Greenville University’s next provost and dean of faculty, taking over for Dr. Hunter Baker, who is stepping down after two and a half years in the role.
Foster brings more than 17 years of experience in higher education leadership, teaching, and accreditation to the post. Since joining NGU in 2009, she has served in a variety of academic leadership positions, assistant provost for instruction and assessment and associate provost for administration and accreditation.
“Dr. Foster’s experience and expertise in higher education have benefited NGU greatly and will continue to do so in this new role,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “She is a tremendous academic leader and will help push our university forward as we strive for academic excellence.”
A professor of biology with a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the Medical College of Georgia, Foster has led the university’s accreditation efforts, overseen institutional effectiveness initiatives, guided curriculum development, and served on numerous strategic and academic leadership committees. Foster has instructed in a range of undergraduate courses in the biological and health sciences, as well as teaching in the Master of Arts in Biomedical Science graduate program at NGU. She has also contributed extensively to faculty governance, curriculum development, and academic excellence initiatives across the university.
“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as the provost of North Greenville University,” Foster said. “Seventeen years at North Greenville University, most of them in the classroom, have cultivated in me a deep love for this place, its mission, and the faculty who pour into students every day. This role is about leading faithfully. Faithfully stewarding our mission, faithfully serving our people, and faithfully cultivating graduates who are equipped to serve as transformational leaders for church and society.”
Baker, who has been with NGU since January of 2024, will be joining First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy where he will serve as a senior fellow, leading a project designed to bring about a renewal of American civics education.
“We are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Baker and how he has led our faculty,” President Fant said. “Our institution is in a strong position moving forward and Dr. Baker’s service is to be commended. We are excited to see him use his exceptional gifts to serve the Kingdom and our culture in general. He is a true gift to the Christian intellectual tradition and its engagement with public service.”
During Baker’s tenure, NGU has added a number of new academic programs and has maintained its position as one of the top private Christian institutions in the southeast.
“During my time at NGU, the thing that has struck me more than anything else is the deep commitment to the Christian mission of the university,” Baker said. “I have not been anywhere else where I felt the biblical foundation was more secure.”
“Dr. Foster has been at NGU for a long time and has flourished as faculty and then as an academic leader,” added Baker. “It is always easier to leave a role when you know there is a strong person waiting in the wings. Dr. Foster is outstanding in every way. I know she brings tremendous gifts and knowledge to the provost’s office. More than that, I know how deeply she cares about the people who work at the university and the students.”
Foster said the relationships she has established with NGU faculty will be the key to success as she transitions into this role.
“Since transitioning into academic administration in 2021, after serving as Faculty Chair, I have tried to demonstrate a willingness to listen and a commitment to helping faculty navigate challenges well,” she said. “I want to continue building an environment where people feel heard, supported, and connected to the broader mission of the institution. My hope is to lead in a way that strengthens relationships across the university and helps faculty, students, and staff flourish together.”
Foster began serving in her role on June 1.
