As a child, Sally Cummings Foster had a dream that might surprise you: she wanted to be a bus driver. But it wasn’t the bus itself that captured her heart—it was the driver of the bus she rode, Penny. Every morning and afternoon, Penny greeted the children with warmth, kindness and care. She wasn’t just driving the bus; she was helping each child navigate their journey with a listening ear and a safe, welcoming presence. To young Sally, Penny was a guide, a mentor and a protector.
Today, Sally’s role at the University of Kentucky mirrors that childhood vision. As the Assistant Dean for Student Engagement at the Lewis Honors College, Director of the Center for Personal Development, and Honors Instructor, Sally is a modern-day “bus driver”—guiding students through one of the most pivotal journeys of their lives: college.
“My job is like being a bus driver. I may not be behind the wheel, but I’m here to help students find their way from point A to point B,” says Sally, reflecting on the guiding role she plays in the lives of UK students. Whether it’s navigating the anxieties of freshman year or preparing for the transition from college to career, Sally is the steady presence that students can rely on as they chart their own course.
