Governors State President Ester returns home to educate
Dr. Joyce C. Ester is a graduate of Thornridge High School
Governors State University President Joyce C. Ester arrived on campus this summer, marking not only the beginning of her tenure, but also a return home.
A native of Phoenix, Illinois, Dr. Ester is bursting with pride for her high school alma mater Thornridge High School.
“We are T-R! Thornridge!’ said Dr. Ester, who recently broke into an animated chant when asked about her high school mascot, the falcon.
“It’s exciting (to be home). People know Thornridge. Having lived in Minnesota and California, you mention your high school, and they have no idea. Here, I can mention my high school, mention my community. People know what it is, so I’m excited to be back in the Southland.”
After graduating from Thornridge, Ester attended Northern Illinois University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, then moved to California.
She earned a master’s degree and doctorate in Education from University of California, Santa Barbara.
It was 16 years before she would return to Illinois. At three California institutions, Ester served in a variety of higher education leadership roles, including Associate Vice President for Student Services, Assistant Vice President for Judicial Affairs and Division Planning, and Assistant Dean of Students/Judicial Affairs.
In 2011, Ester returned to Illinois where she served as President at Kennedy King College, one of seven schools that comprise City Colleges of Chicago.
At Normandale Community College, Ester served as President for 11 years, leading the largest college in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system with more than 14,000 students.
She also serves her community as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Higher Learning Commission, and a Gallaudet University Board of Trustees member.
At GovState, Ester looks forward to boosting visibility of the University, drawing much needed funding, and driving student enrollment. In the difficult landscape of higher education, she knows there is much work to do to continue serving students and the community. Ester said she wants to partner with others to set and reach goals and shares a quote from an Aboriginal activist.
“ 'If you’ve come here to help me, don’t bother, but if your liberation is bound in mine, we can work together.’ I see that in my role in leadership. I’m not just here to lead and to help. I’m here to be a part of the community, so that together we can take this institution higher.’’