Governors State names seventh president

On July 1, Governors State University (GovState) Board of Trustees (BOT) will welcome Dr. Joyce Ester as the University’s seventh president to succeed Dr. Cheryl F. Green, who passed on April 23, a month after retiring.

Well-versed in the world of higher education, Dr. Ester brings more than 30 years of experience in various roles throughout academia that addressed academic and student affairs, faculty and staff governance, and financial management.

An accomplished leader in higher education, Dr. Ester currently serves as President of Normandale Community College (Normandale) in Bloomington, Minnesota, a position she has held since 2014. Normandale is the largest college and third largest institution in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, serving more than 14,000 credit student annually.

Under Ester’s leadership, Normandale saw an 18 percent enrollment increase among students of color between 2015-2020 and has continued to be one of the top transfer institutions in the state.

Additionally, Dr. Ester recently secured a $2 million lead gift to support the development of a new Interdisciplinary Professional Education (IPE) program and facilities for Health Care.

Before joining Normandale, Dr. Ester served two years as President of Kennedy King College, one of seven schools that comprise City Colleges of Chicago. She has also served as Associate Vice President for Student Services for Bakersfield College, Assistant Vice President for Judicial Affairs and Division Planning at California State University Fresno, and Assistant Dean of Students/Judicial Affairs at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Her extensive experience in higher education extends beyond her leadership at Normandale. Dr. Ester is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Higher Learning Commission, and a Gallaudet University Board of Trustees member.

With the selection of Dr. Ester, Governors State University concludes a national search that yielded 62 applicants. Dr. Ester was one of three finalists chosen from nine semifinalists.

Noting the timing of Dr. Ester’s appointment —a day after Dr. Green passed in April —Board Chair Jim Kvedaras said the announcement brought mixed emotions.

“It’s a very bittersweet day on campus,’’ Kvedaras said at the time of the vote. “Our recently retired president Dr. Cheryl Green passed as we are poised on the verge of selecting a new president,’’ he said.

Kvedaras said he looks forward to what the future holds for a Governors State University led by Dr. Ester. “As an alumnus and chair of the Board of Trustees that leads Governors State University, I can say we are honored to begin a new chapter in the University’s history with the inspired leadership of Dr. Ester.”

A native of Phoenix, Illinois, Dr. Ester holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a Master of Arts in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara; and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northern Illinois University.

She said she is excited to follow her passion for higher education in the area she still calls home.

"It's an honor to be officially selected as the 7th president of Governors State University. I am ecstatic to contribute to GovState's vision and mission in partnership with a strong community of students, staff, faculty, and supportive community members. Together, we will continue to foster an environment of academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity."

Dr. Ester’s appointment is effective July 1, 2025.