Normandale Community College announces that Dr. Joyce Ester, who has served as president since 2014, will be stepping down to accept the position as the seventh president at Governors State University in Illinois pending approval from GovState's board of trustees. Dr. Ester's tenure at Normandale has been marked by significant achievements and a strong commitment to educational excellence and equity.
To ensure a smooth transition, Dr. Ester will remain at Normandale through the end of the semester, with her last day being June 3, 2025. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson will lead the process of finding an interim president before conducting a national search for Normandale Community College’s sixth president.
Dr. Ester has led Normandale, the largest community college and the second-largest undergraduate institution in the Minnesota State system, to new heights. Under her leadership, the college has continued with a strong reputation in career programs such as Dental Hygiene, Hospitality, Nursing, and Vacuum and Thin Film Technology. Normandale has also been a top transfer institution in the state, setting the benchmark for educational standards.
Throughout her presidency, Dr. Ester and her team have worked tirelessly to establish Normandale as a Student-Ready College, addressing educational disparities and eliminating gaps in Minnesota’s higher education system. These efforts have led to the creation of a Student Resource Center, redesigned Student Services are that was part of the College Services Renovation Project, and many other impactful initiatives.
Dr. Ester has also led the way in modernizing Normandale’s campus with projects that are currently ongoing, which include the Library Renovation Project and Interprofessional Healthcare Center.
In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Ester was honored as a City of Bloomington Pioneer in 2023 for her impact on the local community and the college’s equity initiatives. She was also selected as a 2024 Women in Business honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Appointed by the Governor of Minnesota, she served on the Young Women’s Initiative Executive Council and Cabinet, working jointly with the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Additionally, Dr. Ester serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and as a member of the Board of Trustees for Gallaudet University.
“While I am extremely excited for this new opportunity, I am sad to leave the Normandale community that has been so special to me for the past 11 years,” said Ester. “Over the last 11 years, I have been so fortunate to have a first-row seat to academic excellence demonstrated by faculty, student-centered service by staff, and dedicated and mission-focused leadership by administrators. While it has been my honor to lead this institution through many successes, I am clear that the “secret sauce” contributing to our success is fundamentally the work of the many outstanding employees and community partners at the college.”
Dr. Ester expressed her gratitude and excitement about her new role, stating, "While I wasn't actively looking for a new opportunity, this one resonated deeply with me. My roots are in Illinois, and the prospect of returning to my home state for this position is both professionally fulfilling and personally significant."
“President Ester has led the college with strength and grace for 11 years,” said Minnesota State Chancellor, Scott Olson. “There is no question that she is committed to the success of students. She has woven that commitment into all aspects of the college’s culture. You witness that in the deep commitment by the faculty, staff, and leadership team. Normandale has grown and flourished under her leadership. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside her as a colleague for many years, and I thank her for her service to Minnesota State.”
top
