Dr. Joyce Ester, Governors State University’s seventh president, answered questions submitted by Jaguar Student Media staff and the student body live on Radio Jaguar.

Just a few months into her tenure, Ester is still learning her way around the campus and getting to know GovState.

“I am already jaguar proud,” Ester said. “I am already leaning into what makes Governors State great. I would say that the thing I am most excited about is the people. Our faculty, our staff and our students. Everyone has been so nice, so engaging, so excited about this place, and that’s what makes these first couple of months so exciting, is the people.”

Ester said she was surprised by how many GovState alums she has met in the wild since coming back home to the southland.

“Almost every time I’m out somewhere, I meet someone, and they go ‘Oh! I’m a Governors State alum,” Ester said. “I was just in Springfield the other day, and it amazes me how many legislators said, ‘I’m an alum of Governors State.”

The president answered students’ questions about new dorms, the soccer field, DEI, ICE enforcement, mental health, and more before sharing her vision for the university’s future.

An edited version of the interview on Radio Jaguar will air during homecoming week, Oct. 27-31, at noon and 5 p.m. daily. Additionally, during President Ester’s inauguration week, Nov. 10-13, the interview will be broadcast at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.