Staff Writer- Nhi Le

Traveling across the globe to begin college in a new country is a daunting leap for anyone. Yet, when Senior Ester Ljunggren left Stockholm, Sweden to attend Gustavus, she did not just come to find a new home. She came to build a better one for everyone else. Now a member of the Class of 2027, Ljunggren has transformed from an eager international student into the heartbeat of campus governance. Her extraordinary journey is defined by fierce academic ambition, boundless empathy and an unwavering belief that every student deserves a voice.  

Academics have always been a central pillar of Ljunggren’s college experience. She is a Political Science and Eastern European & Eurasian Studies double major with a double minor in Economics and Russian. Her intellectual curiosity constantly pushes her to take on challenges that few would dare to attempt. Associate Professor in Political Science Richard Leitch recalled that after just one year of Russian language study on campus, Ljunggren was accepted into Middlebury College’s prestigious immersive summer language program. Following that rigorous experience, she traveled to Latvia the next fall to take university courses taught entirely in Russian.

“Without a hint of self-deprecation, she frequently and proudly refers to herself as a nerd,” Leitch said. “She loves to learn, but unlike the stereotypical image of a nerd, Ester is beyond personable with an active social life and literally a worldwide network of friends.”

Her academic prowess is so widely recognized that multiple departments and their respective faculty mentors have hoped to claim her as one of their own majors. Currently, she works as a student researcher in the Economics Department alongside Associate Professor Marta Podemska-Mikluch, whom Ljunggren considers a personal inspiration.  

This remarkable brainpower is matched only by her tireless dedication to student governance. Ljunggren currently serves as the Student Senate Co-President, a position she secured after running unopposed with her close friend, Senior Laura Sunnarborg. According to Leitch, the duo ran unopposed simply because they were an unbeatable team.  

For Ljunggren, holding this office is not about the prestige of the title. It is about a fundamental belief in the power of student agency.

“To me, student leadership means standing up for yourself and other students, regardless of personal convenience,” Ljunggren said. “I like to remind people that without students, there would be no Gustavus, and thus student voices must be heard to enable the school’s continued wellbeing.”  

Her roommate and friend, Senior Maria Myhre, a Political Science major and Film and Media Studies minor, has witnessed this dedication firsthand.

“Ester is one of the most hard working and dedicated people I know,” Myhre said. “She has worked tirelessly this semester as co-president of Student Senate to make sure that student voices are being heard. Her strength and her spirit shine through in all the work that she does. I see the way that students on our campus trust her and are inspired by her.”

Ljunggren’s drive to create spaces for student voices began almost as soon as she stepped onto campus. Coming from Europe where universities often place less emphasis on extracurricular involvement, she viewed the opportunity to participate in college governance as a rare privilege. During her first year, she noticed a gap in the community and envisioned a nonpartisan space where students could safely discuss politics.  

She shared this vision with her friends, including Sunnarborg, Myhre, and Senior Elsa Freeman, and together they brought the nonpartisan, political discussion club to life.  

“Now, over two years later, I have passed the torch to a new generation of leaders, but the club continues to thrive and I still attend its events,” Ljunggren said. “It is rewarding to know that something I felt was missing when I first arrived at Gustavus now exists for other students to enjoy, and that I created it with some of my closest friends.”  

This deep appreciation for friendship is perhaps her most defining characteristic. Nursing and Chemistry double major Dasha Shyroka, a senior who became one of Ljunggren’s first friends at Gustavus, describes her as a mentor and a daily inspiration.

“She is one of the most caring, dedicated and inspiring people I have ever met,” Shyroka said. “There is no such thing as good enough, she always goes above and beyond for the people she loves and things she cares about.”

Shyroka noted that Ljunggren has been a constant source of support in her life and serves as a prime example of what being a successful, caring, kind and overinvolved student truly means.

Despite her demanding schedule, Ljunggren prioritizes these human connections to avoid burnout. She believes deeply in the simple power of sharing a meal with others. Spending time with friends over lunch or dinner remains the highlight of her day, offering a crucial break to simply enjoy the company of those she cares about.  

As an international student, Ljunggren credits her background for her ability to foster a profound sense of belonging. She appreciates diverse perspectives and believes that hearing many different voices makes the student body grow stronger. In the Student Senate, she constantly reminds her peers that despite having different approaches, everyone shares the same goal of improving the college.  

When asked what advice she would offer to younger students who might be hesitant to get involved, her message was clear and passionate.

“My advice would be to just do it,” Ljunggren said. “There is a trend in our generation to be ‘nonchalant’ and frown upon enthusiasm, and I think that is so pernicious. I realized a few years ago how boring the world would be if no one cared deeply about anything. After all, the people I look up to are passionate about what they do.”  

Ljunggren urged her peers never to be afraid of pursuing their interests, noting that combining curiosity with a strong will can lead to great things. 

Ultimately, Ljunggren proves that true leadership is not about standing above the crowd – it is about standing beside your peers, sharing a meal, and building a foundation so strong that the entire community rises together. While the future holds endless possibilities for this brilliant international student, her impact on the Gustavus campus is already permanently etched into its history. As Leitch so perfectly summarized, no one knows exactly what she will be doing twenty years from now. However, among those who have had the privilege to cross paths with her, Ester Ljunggren will always be remembered mononymously as one-of-a-kind.