Information Specialist

Joy Foster is the Information Specialist for the Office of International and Academic Affairs (OIAA) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).  She joined NIST in December 1991 as a Clerk-Typist for the Executive Office of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL, formerly Computer Systems Laboratory).  She then joined the Computer Security Division of the ITL in May 1994 as the Secretary to the Systems and Network Security Group.  In April 1996, she transferred to OIAA as an Administrative Office Assistant and was promoted to Information Specialist in December 1998.  Mrs. Foster's primary job function is to administer the NIST Foreign Visitor Program.  She plans, coordinates and organizes with individuals of international travel coordinating agencies, other government agencies, U.S. and Foreign Embassies, and NIST staff regarding short-term visits of foreign nationals.  She serves as the primary point of contact for international visitors to NIST. Mrs. Foster also develops and maintains the OIAA web site. She provides IT support to the division, serves as the division property officer, prepares OIAA visual graphic presentations and coordinates and supports conferences, seminars and workshops in support of the OIAA mission.