Will County Gazette

In a May 26 Facebook post, Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) congratulated Dr. Judy Mitchell on her retirement from Joliet Junior College.

"Thanks to Dr. Mitchell and her team for making time in their busy schedule for me to stop by to share my heartfelt farewell as Dr. Mitchell will be retiring. It's been a pleasure working with you, my friend. Congratulations to you on your next chapter. The best is yet to come! #WorkFriends #JJC #Congratulations #farewell @38thSenateDistrict," Rezin posted.

Mitchell announced her retirement in February 2021. She had been the president of JJC for five years and had spent nearly 25 years working for the college.

"When I think about 2020 and my nearly five years as president, I am so proud of the work we have accomplished together," said Mitchell, according to a college press release. "The clarity that 2020 brought to me personally is that I have accomplished what I set out to do when I accepted this role, plus so much more. That is why I am announcing my retirement from the college, effective December 31, 2021. It is time for me to explore the next chapter of my life, and that includes spending more time with my family."

Her career at Joliet Junior College started as a returning adult student. She rose in the ranks from  administrative assistant in the Computer Information Office Systems Department to program management specialist in Adult and Family Services. After serving as assistant to the director of administrative services, she became director of business and auxiliary services in 2005. In 2012, Mitchell was appointed vice president of administrative services, and in September 2016 became the college's president.