At the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER), we take pride in sharing the stories of our alumni who have significantly impacted their fields and communities.
We’re thrilled to highlight the remarkable journey of Joyce A. Ingram, AM/JD 81, an outstanding human resources professional, the first ILIR/Law joint degree recipient, and a new scholarship donor at LER. Joyce’s story is one of success, generosity, and an unyielding commitment to education.
This year, she established the Joyce A. Ingram LER Scholarship to support students pursuing their education without the burden of financial worries. The driving force for assisting those in need is a touching memory of receiving an unexpected scholarship precisely when she needed it. Because of her luck in a time of great need, she states that “if I have the opportunity to be of support to others, I will do so.”
Joyce started her education at Livingstone College, an HBCU in North Carolina, with a bachelor’s in history. On that campus, she saw a poster highlighting the then-Institute’s joint degree in law and labor and industrial relations. Her interest was piqued, she moved to Champaign, and the rest is history. Her time at the School was highlighted by lessons from legendary professors like Wally Hendricks, Martin Wagner, and Milton Derber. Their leadership contributed to her success at ILIR and beyond.
After completing her joint AM/JD, her career began at the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, followed by roles as a personnel officer and a labor relations specialist at the University of Illinois, where she worked with Professor Wally Hendricks’ wife, Denise. Joyce’s professional path led her to influential positions at Fisher Controls, Quaker Oats, and PepsiCo. Later, she became the CHRO at Florida State University and Florida A&M University, where she retired in 2021. Joyce attributes her success to the solid foundation and skills she acquired at LER, fueled by her passion for her work.
“The degrees, my JD, and my Master of Arts in Labor and Industrial Relations, served as the wind beneath my wings and enabled me to soar to my fullest potential in the field of human resources.”
Joyce A. Ingram, AM/JD 81
Joyce gathered a wealth of valuable information throughout her HR career, and her goal is to share this knowledge with her scholarship recipients and the LER community. One of her top mantras is to align your work with the “Seven P’s,” developed while she was working at Quaker Oats. During Quaker’s merger with PepsiCo, Steven Reinemund, the CEO at that time, sat next to Joyce at an educational event to raise funds for the United Negro College Fund. She was the first one he greeted, and he later said that he had been working on “P’s” that he wanted to incorporate into the core values of their organization but still needed a “P” for risk-taking. She could not think of a word until Reinemund explained he wanted all their employees to have a preference for risk-taking. Joyce asked, “Why does it have to be one word? I think you hit the nail on the head with the preference for risk-taking.” That became the seventh “P.”
The “Seven P’s” are: Passion to win and excel, People, Performance, Perseverance, Principle, Perspective, and Preference for prudent risk-taking. In her life, Joyce stands by “having a plan A, B, C, and half of a D,” so she included her “half of a P” as prudent. She states that “it is important to engage in ethical behavior and demonstrate integrity. To perform without integrity leads to trouble sooner rather than later.” She believes this is essential for a successful career, along with always taking care of yourself first and foremost.
Joyce’s generous contribution reflects her deep commitment to giving back to the community that shaped her journey. In addition to her financial generosity, she has contributed to many LER events throughout the years. She was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002, was the commencement speaker in May 2007, and her portrait is featured in the Campus Instructional Facility as the first joint Law/ILIR degree recipient. When she returned to campus for the 75+1 Anniversary event, she was able to see the picture in the facility, something she was incredibly proud to show her mother.
Joyce offers one last tidbit to current and future LER students: take risks, build strong relationships, and strive to deliver results, regardless of the circumstances. “There’s nothing wrong with continuous improvement, and to the extent you think you’re the best, even the best can get better.”
Joyce Ingram’s journey exemplifies the power of education, dedication, and generosity to transform lives. The School of Labor and Employment Relations is immensely proud of her achievements and deeply grateful for her generosity, which continues to benefit both current and future students.
If you’re inspired by Joyce’s story and would like to support student scholarship opportunities, please contact Cory Hatfield at coryhat@illinois.edu or 217-300-2056.
