Governors State University President Ester to be Installed Nov. 14

(University Park, Illinois) Joyce C. Ester, Ph.D., will be installed as the seventh president of Governors State University on Nov. 14 following a week of celebratory events.

The investiture ceremony’s guest list will include local and state dignitaries, including Terry Wells, Mayor of Phoenix, Illinois, where Ester spent her formative years.

After graduating from Thornridge High School, 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. In Minnesota’s 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.

Dr. Ester began with Governors State University on July 1, 2025. She said it’s good to be home. “I’m excited to be back in the Southland.”

The investiture will be held at 10 a.m. on the stage of Center for the Performing Arts.

The event will be held on campus, a culmination of activities to include a food drive, spoken word presentation and Veterans recognition, and a Greek Life stroll. The investiture will be followed by a reception and luncheon in the Hall of Governors.

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