Governors State President receives Community Champion award
By Zion Banks, Editor, the Triad
In the week leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebrations, Governors State University (GovState) President Joyce Ester quoted the iconic leader as she accepted the Community Champion Award from the South Suburban College (SSC) Foundation.
“Dr. King said the goal of education is intelligence plus character. That’s the role we play in higher education -- to make sure that students coming out of our institutions not only have a great education but also have the moral fiber to do the work they need to do.”
Ester joined four other awardees who were honored for excellence in service during the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Brunch at South Suburban Community College. Themes of compassion, leadership and integrity resonated with about 60 guests, including elected officials, educators, and business owners.
SSC President Lynette D. Stokes (shown second from left, front) said those honored, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, have used their platforms in public service, industry, and education to uplift others and strengthen the community.
“At South Suburban College, we believe education, leadership and community partnerships are powerful tools to advance equity and opportunities,’’ Stokes said.
Ester, a native of Phoenix, Illinois, was a natural choice for the Community Champion Award, Stokes said.
“Dr. Ester is new to Governors State but she’s not new to the community. She’s always been a champion in higher education, advocating for students. She embodies everything about a Community Champion.”
After graduating from Thornridge High School, Ester attended Northern Illinois University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She then earned a master’s degree and doctorate in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Ester returned to Illinois in 2011 to serve as President of Kennedy King College, one of seven schools that comprise City Colleges of Chicago. Before joining Governors State, Ester was president of Normandale Community College for 11 years, leading the largest college in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system with more than 14,000 students.
In July, Ester moved back to the Southland to begin her GovState presidential tenure.
Phoenix Mayor Terry Wells (pictured far left) nominated Ester for the SSC Foundation’s Community Champion Award to recognize her commitment to the area and the way she inspires youth.
“Wherever she goes, she tells people where she’s from,’’ said Wells, also Chairman of the South Suburban College Board of Trustees. “She talks about the pride she has in the small town that helped nurture her and shape her into the person she is today.”
After the MLK brunch, Wells shared the story of a little girl who found out Ester she was African American. The girl told Wells that she had aspired to be a school teacher when she grew up, but after hearing about Ester wants to be a college president.
Beaming with pride for Ester's accomplishments, Wells said, “Now that's powerful .. And that’s the profound impact Dr. Ester has on our youth. As Mayor of the Village of
Phoenix, I can tell you that this community cannot be prouder of Dr. Ester,'' Wells said.
Other 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Brunch award winners were:
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle for the MLK Service Award
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller for the Coretta Scott King Award
Patrick and Tiffany Kamara, owners of St. Patrick’s Restaurant for the Rev. Leon Sullivan Entrepreneur Award
DeAndre and Alexus Rucker, Rucker and Rucker for the Business of the Year Award