December 2022
In This Issue: Important Reminders Pages 2-4 Don't miss a deadline! Campus Connection Page 5 Meet out newest DDP liaison! Kudos & Congrats Pages 6-7 Event Highlights Pages 8-10 Save the Dates Page 11 Director's Corner Page 12
DDP NEWSLETTER
Hover & Scroll The GSU Promise Scholarship is a competitive scholarship for DDP students who receive the Federal Pell Grant and have at least a 2.75 GPA. It covers full tuition and fees at GSU for up to four semesters at GSU (excluding summers). The DDP Honors Scholarship is a competitive scholarship for DDP students who are current members of their community college Honors Program or chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and have at least a 3.5 GPA. It covers full tuition and fees at GSU for up to four semesters (excluding summers). DDP students at the City Colleges of Chicago may also be eligible for the DDP Chicago STAR Scholars Scholarship. It is open to DDP students who are enrolled in the Chicago STAR Scholars program, are active members of CCC’s Honors Program or chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and have a 3.50 GPA or above. Depending on your transfer term (spring or fall) there are two (2) scholarship categories; see the DDP Scholarship Application for more details. Undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition and complete the ISAC Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid are welcome to apply! Links to the DDP Scholarship Application and DDP Recommendation Forms can be found on the DDP Scholarships website. Again, application materials are due on Thursday, February 23, 2023
Important Reminders
Fall 2023 Scholarships Applications DUE: Thursday, Feb 23rd Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GSU in Fall 2023, make sure to apply for the GSU Promise Scholarship, DDP Honors Scholarship, and/or the DDP Chicago STAR Scholars Scholarships this semester! These scholarships are only available to DDP students. Students who qualify for multiple awards are encouraged to apply for all they are eligible to (if chosen by multiple committees, the recipient will have final choice of award.)
The 2023-2024 fafsa is available to complete today! Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to maximize financial aid opportunities including the Illinois MAP grant. What’s required? FSA ID to sign electronically Your Social Security Number Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) Your 2021 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You should be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool) Bank statements and records of untaxed income (if applicable) When asked what institutions you wish your report to be sent to, please include GSU's Code: 009145 Have you heard of the RISE Act's Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid? The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a way for undocumented and transgender students to apply for Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students. Pre-screening questions at the beginning of the application help students determine which application (Alternative Application vs. FAFSA) should be completed. Completing either of the above will allow you to compete for a DDP scholarship! Ask your DDP Transfer Specialist for more information on how you may be eligible.
deadlines for special programs are fast approaching! If you are planning to transfer to GSU in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2023, please be aware that some programs have special application deadlines. Below is a list of undergraduate programs that have an application deadline in the upcoming months. Remember, you are strongly encouraged to submit all application materials/materials for admission as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute delays! Please contact your DDP Transfer Specialist for assistance in ensuring that you have all materials submitted before the following deadlines: Health Administration: Summer 3/15/23 & Fall 6/15/23 Nursing (RN to BSN): Spring 1/1/23, Summer 5/1/23 & Fall 8/1/23 Community Health: Summer 5/15/23 & Fall 8/17/23 Social Work: Summer 4/8/23 & Fall 8/4/23 Graduating with your associate degree next semester? Don't forget to petition to graduate! Stop by and speak with a counselor/advisor at your community college and learn when the deadline is to do so! Many schools have a deadline as early as February 1st! Click here if you are ready to apply to GSU for 2023 admission!
important reminders
Here we feature one of our fabulous DDP Liaisons from one of our 17 partnering community colleges, so that you know who is a master at DDP when we are not around! It is also a way for DDP students to see the many different paths that can lead to a rewarding career in higher education. Hover & Scroll Nancy Guzman, Interim Transfer Coordinator College of DuPage What colleges and/or universities did you attend as a student, and for what degrees? I attended North Central College in Naperville after graduating from high school. I earned a generous scholarship that allowed me to attend this institution at a low cost to my family and me. While conducting my college search, I only applied to small private colleges because I wanted close connections with faculty and small classes. Ultimately, North Central College was the best fit for me academically; it offered the most competitive financial aid package and was close to home. I knew I was not ready to go far away to college, so having an easy commute was a must! At North Central, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Later, I also returned to North Central to earn my Master’s in leadership: Higher Education Administration degree. As an undergraduate, I was highly involved on campus through clubs/organizations, undergraduate research, and the honors program. What is your most memorable moment of college? I had so many wonderful moments in and out of the classroom. I tried to soak up all the college had to offer, often staying on campus all day and returning home to sleep. I loved my college experience. The moments that stand out to me the most include becoming a co-president of the ceramics club and organizing art sales/ and ceramic workshops for the community; my first undergraduate research project; writing my senior thesis (most memorable, not most enjoyable) and dissecting sheep brains in neuroscience class which I looked forward to for years! What was something you couldn't live without in college? Anyone who knew me then knew I could not live without a good cup of coffee! North Central College has a fair-trade partnership with Guatemalan farmers, where fresh beans are brought to the US, roasted, and sold for consumption, with profits sent back to the farmers. I loved this coffee specifically and still do! If you could do a (college/degree) all over again, what would you do differently? If I could do college all over again, there is not much I would change, but there are a couple of things. I would utilize available resources more. As a first-generation college student, I did not know what resources were available to me or how to seek them out until I needed them. I did not know how to navigate finding internships, how majors can translate to a career, or how to expand on and explore future career aspirations meaningfully or proactively. Aside from this, I would have also taken some data science and computer science courses. These skills are so in-demand now that I would like to return and add those things to my academic plan. Your most valuable "words of wisdom" for transfer students. “It’s never too early to think about/plan your transfer”. Successful transfer students plan early! That means meeting with an advisor/counselor to map out courses, exploring the many options that are out there, and visiting colleges/universities to see which one is the best fit. The more time students allow to explore their options, the better decision they make when committing to a university.I would encourage transfer students to utilize all their resources-community college transfer services, admission counselors, peers, and online resources. Every transfer journey is unique, and ultimately the best transfer destination for students is the one that’s best for them and their unique circumstances.
click here
Campus Connection
Kudos & Congrats
Spring 2023 Dual Degree Program Scholarship recipients The Dual Degree Program (DDP) Promise, Honors, and Chicago STAR Scholars Scholarships are competitive scholarships awarded annually. These scholarships are open to GSU Dual Degree Program students who meet certain merit or need-based criteria. This transfer term, 11 students were awarded a 2-year scholarship starting Spring 2023. Let's celebrate our new recipients! Kahlilah Burnett (PSC) Ivette Gomez (Morton) Allison Logan (JJC) Margo Caradine (OliveH) Latrice Jones (SSC) Najelli Mendoza (PSC) Brenda Encinas Vega (Daley) Abdu-Alrahman Kittaneh (MVCC) Lakeyda Thompson (OliveH) Sarai Espinosa (PSC) Loren Lazzara (JJC) DDP Male Success Initiative scholarship The DDP Male Success Initiative Scholarship is a $500 semi-annual scholarship funded by DDP co-founder, Dr. Linda Uzureau. The scholarship is awarded each semester to a male student of color who has transferred to GSU via the Dual Degree Program. Congratulations to our Spring 2023 recipient, Cassaries Johnson (PSC)! Don't miss your opportunity to receive this award; check out the Scholarship Universe tool to learn more!
GSU Honors Program Annual pinning ceremony The GSU Honors Program students participated in a curriculum designed to enrich their academic experience. It is designed to make a difference in each students' life and provide motivation to go a step further as well as maintain higher expectations in reaching your fullest potential. Congrats to the current DDP students who were pinned and welcomed into the program on September 16th: Laila Atra-Yassin (JJC) Brenda Banuelos (SSC) Brenda Reyes (SSC) Parthavi Patel (PSC) fall 2022 Dual degree program induction ceremony One of the requirements of the Dual Degree Program is to attend a DDP Induction Ceremony. This Fall 2022, we welcomed 21 new DDP students encompassing nine of our partnering community colleges to Governors State University. The new inductees pledged to “continuously encourage high standards of scholarship, excellence, leadership, and character” while completing their DUAL degrees. Congrats to those inducted on November 4th: Saphirre Brown (SSC) Brenda Encinas Vega (Daley) Loren Lazzara (JJC) Anna Mitchell (COD) Kahlilah Burnett (PSC) Sarai Espinosa (PSC) Allison Logan (JJC) Rebecca Pijus (KCC) Raymond Coleman (PSC) Ivette Gomez (Morton) Grace Meeks (JJC) Gloria Ruiz (SSC) Nancy Cordero (PSC) Atzihri Guido (Daley) Najelli Mendoza (PSC) Arika Stanley (KCC) Vashanda Dale (KKing) Heather Keene (KCC) Keri Mirabelli (Morton) Ethel Townsend (PSC) Trent Vahl (JJC)
fall 2022 induction Ceremony On November 4, our newest DDP students currently attending one of our partnering community colleges participated in this fall’s DDP Induction event. Students learned about the many benefits of DDP, as well as steps to successfully complete their associate degree and transfer to GSU for their bachelor’s degree completion. Haven't attended DDP Induction yet? See the "Save the Dates" section for details about the Spring '23 Induction Ceremony!
Event highlights
2022 Welcome Cording Ceremony On October 7th, the Dual Degree Program hosted its first in-person "DDP Welcome & Cording Ceremony" since 2019! Student who transferred to GSU in the spring, summer, or fall 2022 semesters were honored with a cord representing the color of the community college where they recently graduated with their associate degree. In the company of several GSU administration, students were corded by their respective DDP Transfer Specialists. Check out a few photos from the event below, or visit the DDP Facebook page for the full album!
DDP Monthly Community service events The Dual Degree Program coordinates community service activities to raise awareness of each other's communities and learn from other's experiences. This semester, DDP gained valuable experiences from The Bridge Teen Center Thrift Store (Orland Park, IL), Making Strides of Chicago with the American Cancer Society, GSU Food Pantry with the Northern Illinois Food Back, and Respond Now (Chicago Heights, IL) with United Way of Metro Chicago. Check out photos from the events that took place over the course of this fall semester!
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
Save The Dates
Hover & Scroll DDP Back to School Social Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 3-5pm @GSU, Hall of Honors (D1490) Meet fellow DDP friends from all stages of transfer at GSU. Enjoy food, games, and win DDP merch! Fall 2023 Scholarship Deadline Thursday, February 23, 2023, 11:59pm For those transferring to GSU in the Summer/Fall of 2023. See page 2 for more info! DDP Career Symposium Friday, March 3, 2023, 8:30am-12:30pm @GSU, Hall of Honors (D1490) Half-day professional development conference that provides tips and best practices for achieving one's career goals. Topics will include Resume Building, Virtual Interviewing, Personal Branding, and more. Registration coming soon! DDP Spring Induction Friday, April 7, 2023, 9:30am-1:30pm @GSU, Engbretson Hall (B1200) & E-Lounge (E1571) For DDP students who are still pursuing an associate degree at their community college and have not yet attended a past induction. Participants will receive an orientation to the Dual Degree Program, and receive helpful resources in preparation for your transfer. DDP Graduation Cording Ceremony Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 6:00pm-7:00pm @GSU, Center for Performing Arts Dual Degree Program students who graduated with their bachelor's degrees during the 2022-2023 academic year will be honored at a formal cording ceremony to acknowledge the completion of their DUAL degrees. Formal invitations will be mailed to graduates in early April 2023! Stay tuned for Spring 2023 monthly DDP Community Service opportunities!
Spring 2023
Dear DDP Students and Supporters, WOW, that was busy semester! You should be very proud of all you have achieved, both academically and professionally. I applaud all of our fall 2022 graduates, and kudos to those in the home stretch as you prepare for graduation in the spring. To all those who supported and participated in DDP's fall programming and service events, THANK YOU! With your busy schedules you still made time to join us. You are amazing ambassadors of the Dual Degree Program and without your involvement the DDP would not be able to make such an impact on our campuses and in the community. If you did not have a chance to join in on the fun this fall, there will be plenty of opportunities in the spring! If you have any questions or comments regarding DDP or GSU, please feel free to contact me at (708) 534-4494 or by email at dualdegree@govst.edu. Thank you again, and have a safe and happy winter break! Best, Jessica Specht, Director of DDP
director's corner
As we come to the close of another semester, we thank you for all the hard work and support throughout this semester! We hope that you have a great, restful and safe winter break! We will see you in 2023
Thank you!
Don’t forget to follow DDP’s Facebook page to view photo albums and be notified of future events!