In This Issue: One Degree Down! Page 2 Student Spotlight Page 3 Meet the DDP Team Pages 4-5 Annual DDP Symposium Page 6 DDP Scholarship Deadline Page 7 Important Reminders Pages 8-9 Event Highlights Pages 10-11 Save the Dates Page 12 Director's Corner Page 13
DDP NEWSLETTER
September 2023
Jose Pizano (KCC) Arielle Powell (MVCC) Jenna Randazzo (MVCC) Dalton Rath (PSC) Kathleen Red (MVCC) Kristal Reddick (PSC) Chloe Richards (JJC) Julissa Sepulveda (SSC) Andrew Snider (KCC) Alex Szczender (PSC) McKenna Tighe (MVCC) Trent Vahl (JJC) Roberto Valladares (CCC-RD) Nathan VandenBosch (SSC) Annalea Vehe (JJC) Alan Villalpando (MVCC) Alima Williams (MVCC) Nayeli Zambrano (PSC) Dawit Zellelew (MVCC)
welcome the new ddp transfer students to GSU! Congratulations to all of our students who graduated from their community college and transferred to GSU this summer or fall semester. We are excited to be welcoming 79 new students to Governors State University, and 28 are DDP scholarship recipients!
Heather Keene (KCC) Kennedy Kennedy (PSC) Kyla Krajnovich (JJC) Carlee Lankford (PSC) Rodolfo Leal (KCC) Ryan LeBlanc (PSC) Bryan McGee (PSC) Grace Meeks (JJC) Hannah Melka (MVCC) Monica Mickle (CCC-OH) Keri Mirabelli (Morton) Anna Mitchell (COD) Vanessa Moss (KCC) Celine Mui (COD) Christopher O'Farrell (SSC) Vashanda Overton (CCC-KK) Matthew Pacheco (PSC) Nekhiyah Patton (CCC-KK) Alejandro Perez (MVCC) Angelica Perez (CCC-OH)
Jose Flores (PSC) Laura Flores (JJC) Lillie Futrell (PSC) Ariana Gonzalez (Morton) Ava Gordon (MVCC) Laretta Graves (KCC) Atzihri Guido (CCC-RD) Dalayna Hampton (PSC) Imani Hampton (SSC) Tyler Hartke (JJC) Julia Hernandez (PSC) Kelsie Hiatt (KCC) Brian Hickey (MVCC) Zierra Hill (KCC) Taiya Hollis (CCC-MX) Edward Horath (KCC) Rasmeia Jabarah (MVCC) AarQuisha Jackson (SSC) De 'Borah Johnson (PSC) Karolina Kaminska (MVCC)
One Degree Down!
Jacob Abrams (JJC) Jeremiah Ball (SSC) Sharon Barnes (PSC) Tammie Berry (CCC-RD) Joanna Bieniek (PSC) Madelyn Boylan (JJC) Enija Brown (CCC-MX) Luis Camarena (PSC) Margo Caradine (CCC-OH) Aarianna Clay (CCC-HW) Gregory Collins (CCC-HW) Sara Comstock (JJC) Nancy Cordero (PSC) Paige Craig (PSC) Ryan Cunnane (JJC) Thomas Daily (KCC) Vanessa Deschryver (Triton) Lauren Drenthe (JJC) Marvin Fairman (MVCC) Allison Flaws (MVCC)
Name: Angelica Perez School: Olive-Harvey College (CCC) Major: Criminal Justice Hover & Scroll In what ways has the Dual Degree Program influenced your success? The Dual Degree Program has influenced my success by choosing me to receive a full ride scholarship. This has really relieved me from a great financial burden. The program has also connected me with many resources that will help me in my academic career. What are your future plans at GSU? At GSU I plan to network with as many people as I can and push myself to try new things. Also, I want to find new interests that I wouldn’t have known about before. What are you most excited about in regards to transferring to GSU? I am most excited about meeting new people and taking classes that focus on my major. As well as, joining clubs that I am interested in and all the opportunities that it will bring. What tips would you offer students for success? I would tell other students to prioritize their workload. I would also tell students to build a relationship with their professors.
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student spotlight
Juan Gonzalez College of DuPage Harper College Joliet Junior College Moraine Valley Community College Morton College Triton College Waubonsee Community College
Don't forget to CHECK IN WITH YOUR TRANSFER SPECIALIST! Still at the community college? Do not forget to check in with your DDP Transfer Specialist! Although virtual appointments are still available, you can now schedule an in person meeting with your Transfer Specialist. Check out your Transfer Specialist’s on campus hours, and stop by to say hello! Click on your community college below for more information:
Meet The DDP Team
Sharita Walker Kankakee Community College Prairie State College South Suburban College
Alexandro Venegas City Colleges of Chicago (all seven campuses)
Angelica Perez Community College: Olive-Harvey College Major: Criminal Justice
ddp student Staff are here to help! DDP Student Transition Assistants are DDP students of the program who have been trained and are familiar with the various offices and services at GSU. They have the resources and information to help make your transition to GSU as smooth and comfortable as possible! STAs also serve as a thoughtful guide for DDP students who are new to Governors State University, and a reliable and energetic role model and advocate for student success. You can find them in room A2126 or call 708-235-7173.
Luis Martinez Community College: Harold Washington College Major: Accounting
Nataly Acosta Community College: Richard J. Daley College Major: Social Work
Meet the ddp team
Daysia Williamson Community College: Prairie State College Major: Business Administration
Latrice Jones Community College: South Suburban College Major: Psychology
Aarianna Clay Community College: Harold Washington College Major: Communication Disorders
Annual DDP Symposium
ddp career & Scholarship symposium - september 22, 2023 Getting ready to apply for an internship? Want to learn how to graduate with as little debt as possible? Join us for DDP’s annual professional development conference for achieving one's career goals and graduating with as little debt as possible! Hosted by the Dual Degree Program in collaboration with various GSU Offices. Morning refreshments and Lunch is included and open to all DDP students! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Topics for the day include: Keynote: DDP Alumna, Bridget Drury! Assistant Director Scholar Supports & Wellness at Chicago Scholars Strategies for Virtual & In-Person Interviewing Elevating your Personal "Brand" Funding Study Abroad Writing Personal Statements for Scholarships And More!
Hover & Scroll The DDP 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, October 5, 2023
spring 2024 Scholarships Applications DUE: Thursday, October 5th Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GSU in Spring 2024, make sure to apply for the DDP 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.)
DDP Scholarship Deadline
Important Reminders
The 2024-2025 fafsa opens december, 2023 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 2024, please be aware that some programs have application deadlines that are quickly approaching. Below is a list of undergraduate programs that have an application deadline in the upcoming months. Please 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 deadline. Health Administration: October 1 Nursing (RN to BSN): November 1 Community Health: November 30 Social Work: December 4 Graduating with your associate degree this 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 September 1st! Click here if you are ready to apply to GSU for 2024 admissions!
event highlights
DDP Monthly COMMUNITY SERVICE Each month the Dual Degree Program coordinates community service activities to raise awareness of each other's communities and learn from each other's experiences. [Unfortunately our July event with the Special Olympics of Illinois was cancelled due to rain.] For the month of June, students volunteered at GSU's Juneteenth event, helping with check in and refreshments. For the month of August, students volunteered at GSU's Family Development Center and helped with a variety of things such as sorting family resources and files.
DDP Back-2-School social & GSU Block Party On Wednesday, August 30th, DDP hosted our annual Fall Back-2-School Social on campus at GSU. Students from all campuses were invited to mingle while enjoying food, games, and just catching up with all those who stopped by. Then on Thursday, August 31st, DDP particiapted in GSU's Welcome Week Student Orgs & Greek LIfe Block Party. Students were able to stop by say hello and spin the wheel to win DDP swag!
Save The Dates
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
DDP Career & Scholarship Symposium @ GSU, Hall of Honors Friday, September 22, 2023, 10am-3:15pm Professional development conference for achieving one's career goals and graduating with as little debt as possible. Keynote: Bridget Drury, DDP Alumna '16! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER DDP September Community Service South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) Fundraiser @ Odyssey Country Club, Tinley Park, IL Thursday, September 28, 2023 Two shifts:11:30am-3:00pm OR 5-8:30pm Proceeds from fundraising efforts like the golf outing benefit SSHS's two adoption facilities in Matteson and Homewood. Volunteers will be assisting with registration, distributing materials, and packing up SSHS's items at the end of the event. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER DDP Scholarship Deadline for Spring 2024 Thursday, October 5, 2023, 11:59pm For those transferring to GSU in the Spring of 2024, visit the DDP Scholarship page for further details, or contact a DDP Transfer Specialist for assistance applying! National Transfer Student Week October 16-20, 2023 Stay tuned for event announcements! DDP Welcome Cording Ceremony Friday, October 20, 2023, 6-7pm @ GSU, Hall of Governors Dual Degree Program students that transferred to GSU in the spring, summer, or Fall 2023 will be honored at a cording ceremony to acknowledge the completion of their associate degree and successful transfer to GSU. Invitations have been mailed and emailed to eligible students. DDP Induction Ceremony (Fall Option) November 10, 2023, 9:30am-1:00pm @ GSU, Engbretson Hall & E-Lounge For DDP students who are still pursuing an associate degree at their local community college and have not yet attended a past induction. Participants will receive an orientation to the Dual Degree Program, and opportunity to meet GSU administration and staff, and receive helpful resources in preparation for your transfer. Invitations will be mailed and emailed to eligible students in October 2023. Stay tuned for additional community service and event opportunities throughout the semester!
Fall 2023
director's corner
Dear DDP Students and Supporters, Greetings, and welcome back to campus - unless you were taking summer classes, of course ;) Congratulations to the DDP students who graduated with their associate degrees and made the transition to GSU this fall. We can't wait to celebrate you at the 2023 DDP Welcome Cording Ceremony on October 20, 2023! For those new and returning, the Dual Degree Program continues to be a resource for you while you are completing the second of your dual degrees. Our team of STAs and Graduate Assistant, Amanda Johnson (pictured lower right), and I are located five days a week in rooms A2128 and A2126. We are here to answer your questions, point you in the right direction, or simply listen on a hard day. Stop by any time... The DDP Team wishes you all a fantastic fall semester, and we look forward to seeing you around campus soon! Best, Jessica Specht, M.A. Director of DDP