During President Cheryl Green’s final weeks at Governors State University, the campus community celebrated her with music, fellowship and kind words.
At a banquet on Feb. 7, Green received gifts and well wishes. Staff, faculty, and students submitted videos with personal messages that emphasized Green’s impact on the campus in her four years as president.
“You have definitely been a mentor for me, and I’ve learned so much from you on my journey,” said student senator and student life employee Marquis Parks. In his video tribute, Parks explained that he started attending GovState the same year Green was hired as president. “We persevered. You’re retiring. I’m graduating. I am so proud of you, and I thank you so much for all you have done for our community.”
That evening, a fundraiser for the Dr. Cheryl F. Green Scholarship for Societal Impact continued the outgoing president’s retirement celebration. The scholarship will benefit selected GSU students and honor Green’s lifelong commitment to public service, equity, social mobility, access, and opportunity.
The Board of Trustees selected Green to serve GovState as president in 2020. Despite the challenges she faced during the global COVID pandemic, her persistence and commitment to improving the university resulted in significant accomplishments. These included founding a Latinx Resource Center, creating the Honors College and College of Graduate Studies, developing a Social Justice Initiative and overseeing the completion of a building dedicated to the initiative on campus.
Green’s retirement on March 1 will mark the end of a career in education that lasted more than three decades. As GovState prepares for a new chapter, the community is committed to following her example and maintaining her legacy of meaningful change on campus and beyond.
