'Build that sisterhood': Space for women at FSU led by successful businesswomen, scholars

Taylor Shook, Fayetteville Observer
·2 min read

Fayetteville State University started a program last year to keep women students in school — and in the process, the school aims to help students overcome mental health issues, financial struggles and unravel family trauma — all with the aid of local women leaders.

The Ladies’ Lounge, led by Katanya Foust, who has a doctorate in education and has served as the director of FSU's Female Matriculation Institute since August, said the program has served more than 1,000 of about 4,000 FSU undergraduates since it began this school year.

Held once or twice a month, Ladies’ Lounge events range from financial literacy and business classes to fashion and beauty workshops and musical performances. The goal is simple — give women the tools and guidance needed to complete their degrees, Foust said.

“We want to keep them here,” she said.

Katanya Foust, director of the Female Matriculation Institute at Fayetteville State University.
Katanya Foust, director of the Female Matriculation Institute at Fayetteville State University.

While U.S. women are more likely to graduate college than their male counterparts, NBC reported in April, Foust said female students still face barriers to staying in class all four years, like affording university, pregnancy and depression.

One way to combat those challenges is to stand together, she said.

“The Ladies Lounge is a safe place to have those discussions to build that sisterhood with each other,” Foust said.

With anywhere from 50 to 400 students in attendance at each event, the programming seems to be resonating on campus, Foust said, especially with first-year students.

Students at the Mindset of a Graduate conference, a Fayetteville State Ladies' Lounge event in January.
Students at the Mindset of a Graduate conference, a Fayetteville State Ladies' Lounge event in January.

What else does the Ladies’ Lounge do?

Foust said the FSU program has helped a dozen students launch their own businesses this year. Ladies’ Lounge partnered with Durham-based Purpose University to offer students business classes and guidance.

Among the new student businesses are custom shoes and T-shirt sellers, Foust said, and each business can register as a campus vendor to sell their wares at school events like homecoming.

“They are ecstatic,” Foust said of the student entrepreneurs.

The business-launching program has received enough interest from students to repeat it next year, she said.

In January, 240 women students attended Mindset of a Graduate, a conference that covered topics like family issues and how to stay motivated, and featured a panel of professional women, a fashion show and makeup makeovers, Foust said.

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What’s next for the Ladies' Lounge?

Right now, events are hosted in various locations across campus, Foust said, but she hopes for the Ladies’ Lounge to have its own space in the future.

Another goal for the program is to continue building a network of professional women in Cumberland County to lead workshops and give presentations to students, she said.

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How can I get involved with the Ladies' Lounge?

People interested in serving as a guest speaker can contact Foust at kfoust1@uncfsu.edu or 910-672-1088.

Follow @fsuladieslounge and @fsu_matriculation on Instagram for more.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What is the Ladies' Lounge at Fayetteville State University?