September 2021
In This Issue: A Special Thank You Page 2 Student Spotlight Page 3 Important Reminders Pages 4-7 Updates for Fall '21 Pages 8-10 Campus Connections Pages 11-13 Event Highlights Page 14-15 Save the Dates Page 16 Director's Corner Page 17
DDP NEWSLETTER
Please join us in thanking Provost beth cada as she Retires from her role at Governors State University Provost Cada has been a huge supporter of the Dual Degree Program since becoming Provost in August 2018. Thank you for being part of every DDP milestone and advocating for students' academic success at GSU. We wish you the best in your next adventure!
a special thank you
STUDENT SPOTlight
welcome new ddp transfer students to GSU! Congratulations to all of our students who graduated from their community college and transferred to GSU for this summer or fall semester! We are excited to be welcoming 40 new students to Governors State University, and 16 are DDP scholarship recipients! Nicollette Allen (PSC) Kara De la Leurs (MVCC) Brenda Herrejon (MVCC) Brenda Reyes (SSC) Sydney Armstead (SSC) Marth Esparza (JJC) Jordyn Knapp (PSC) Alec Robinson (KCC) Alexis Ballard (KCC) Jacob Fisher (JJC) Ryan McCarthy (CCC-TR) Joanna Rodriguez (PSC) Tamika Bentley (PSC) Zitlali Garcia (KCC) Arika McCaskill (CCC-KK) Elaina Sais (KCC) Grace Bette (JJC) Jessica Garcia (SSC) Jackee M. Mccoy (CCC-OH) Eduardo Sandoval (PSC) Annita Butler (KCC) Ashley Harding (JJC) Basil Mohammad (KCC) Yasmin Shehab (MVCC) Oscar Camargo (KCC) David Harper (JJC) Mahveecah Myles (PSC) Jose Torres (MC) Kayla Cardinal (MVCC) Nicole Harrington (PSC) Parthavi Patel (PSC) Charity Wiley (PSC) Molly Cronin (MVCC) Mya Henry (SSC) Raquel Perez (CCC-OH) Jolene Wilkins (KCC) Latisha Davis (PSC) Lessly Hernandez (KCC) Leslie Peterson (SSC) Heba Yasin (MVCC)
Important REminders
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). Illinois Dreamers and DACA students are eligible for the full award for up to four semesters at GSU! 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. There are two (2) scholarship categories; see the DDP Scholarship Application for more details! Illinois Dreamers and DACA students are eligible for the full award for up to four semesters at GSU! 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 21, 2021!
Spring 2022 Scholarship applications due: Thursday, October 21st Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GSU in Spring 2022, make sure to apply for the GSU Promise Scholarship, DDP Honors Scholarship, and/or the DDP Chicago STAR Scholars Scholarships. These scholarships are only available to DDP students. Students who qualify for multiple awards are encouraged to apply for several, although students may only be awarded one out of those eligible.
The 2022-2023 fafsa opens october 1st! DDP students, remember that you will be able to file your 2022-2023 FAFSA as early as October 1, 2021! Students are encouraged to apply early 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 2020 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 GSU’s Office of Financial Aid is hosting multiple FAFSA Completion Workshops throughout the semester. See the list of tips and workshop dates at www.govst.edu/fafsa. Take advantage of the direct assistance and receive all that you are eligible for! For further assistance, students can also contact GSU Financial Aid at 708-534-4480.
gsu deadlines for special programs are fast approaching! If you are planning to transfer to GSU in Spring 2022, 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 petition to graduate 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!
CHECK IN WITH YOUR DDP TRANSFER SPECIALIST!! tHE tRANSFER sPECIALIST ARE BACK AT SOME OF YOUR CAMPUSES! 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: Juan Gonzalez College of DuPage Moraine Valley Comm College Triton College Harper College Morton College Waubonsee Comm College Joliet Junior College Alexandro Venegas City Colleges of Chicago (all seven campuses) Sharita Walker Kankakee Community College Prairie State College South Suburban College
Morgan Langer Major: Master of Social Work, Concentration in Child and Family Service and Mental Health Expected Graduation Date: May 2022 What are you looking forward to this semester? "I'm looking forward to getting back to campus, meeting President Green, and being with my peers and fellow DDP students. Oh, and definitely the food!"
updates for Fall'21
ddp student Staff are here to help! meet OUR sta's DDP Student Transition Assistants are DDP students and graduates 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.
Abigail Barber Major: Bachelor's in Psychology Expected Graduation Date: May 2022 What are you looking forward to this semester at GSU? "I am looking forward to being on campus and making connections with other students."
meet our sta's Cont... James J Langer II Major: Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, Minor Forensic Psychology Expected Graduation Date: May 2022 What are you looking forward to this semester at GSU? "Having online classes that will help me navigate my school, work, and family life."
Meet our Graduate Assistant! Manuel Reza Major: Master of Arts in English Expected Graduation Date: May 2022 What are you looking forward to this semester at GSU? "I am looking forward to having more in person events especially DDP events like our Scholarship Symposium. They are always a great way to connect with studetns and have a great time overall. I am also looking forward to starting my last year at GSU and getting my Master's degree!
updates for fall'21
meet our sta's Cont... Ruben Lopez Major: Bachelor's in Psychology, minor in Gender Studies Expected Graduation Date: December 2021 What are you looking forward to this semester at GSU? "I am looking forward to connecting with students and our community. Last year made this difficult, but I hope this year will be more promising."
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Campus Connections
This issue of the DDP Newsletter, we are featuring our fabulous DDP Transfer Specialist who all serve our 17 partnering community colleges! "Campus Connections" is also a way for DDP students to see the many different paths that can lead to a rewarding career in higher education. Sharita Walker, DDP Transfer Specialist Prairie State College, South Suburban College & Kankakee Community College What colleges and/or universities did you attend as a student, and for what degrees? I attended Prairie State College first to obtain my AA in Psychology I then transferred through the Dual Degree Program to Governors State to finish my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well. I stuck around GSU a little longer to then earn my Master’s Degree in Social Work. What is your most memorable moment of college? My most memorable moment of college is anything DDP related! From being the first cohort of DDP students to transfer in and start at GSU, to becoming a Peer Mentor, to then becoming the first Student Transition Assistant and then graduating with my bachelors as a part of the first cohort of DDP students. To all of the great fellow peer mentors/STA’s that I met and worked with, to planning community service events to just enjoying GSU in general, the list goes on forever, but DDP made college worth it all! What was something you couldn't live without in college? I couldn’t live without my planner. I am a very organized and detailed person, so having my planner and keeping track of everything was something I needed to stay on track of assignments as well as events and things happening on campus. If you could do a (college/degree) all over again, what would you do differently? If I could do it all over again, I would have maybe joined a few clubs around campus. Your most valuable "words of wisdom" for transfer students. Make as many connections on campus as possible! I had some of the greatest mentors as a student and just great resources in general! There was never a time I felt alone or that I had to figure it out on my own, I always knew I could count on somebody, somewhere around campus.
Campus Connections: Cont...
Alexandro Venegas, DDP Transfer Specialist City Colleges of Chicago, all seven campuses What colleges and/or universities did you attend as a student, and for what degrees? I attended Prairie State Community College and obtained an Associate of Arts degree. Then afterwards I transferred to Governors State University [via DDP!] and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts, Psychology. What is your most memorable moment of college? I do not have one most memorable moment of college, but several. Especially being an active student on campus, I would always find myself creating several memorable experiences. For example, participating in the Dual Degree Program as a student and a student worker. I would like to highlight how welcoming and supportive this school program was for me. I made some great friends through volunteering and through working DDP events. In the end, I would say my most memorable moment was day one of being a DDP student to the last day I graduated as a DDP student. What was something you couldn't live without in college? One thing I could not live without in College would be my cellphone. I used my cellphone for almost everything. From checking my school emails to communicating with classmates about our group projects. If I didn’t have a cellphone I do not know how I would have done it. If you could do a (college/degree) all over again, what would you do differently? If I could do it all over again I would major in History or Information Technology. History because I find learning about the past to be intriguing, but also applicable to today’s problems. As for IT I wouldn’t have minded learning how to create, process, store, and exchange electronic data and information. It honestly sounds complex, but that is why they get paid the big bucks! Your most valuable "words of wisdom" for transfer students. My most valuable “words of wisdom” for transfer students would be that College is like a marathon, you have to run it at your own pace.
Juan Gonzalez, DDP Transfer Specialist College of DuPage, Joliet Junior College, Harper College, Moraine Valley CC, Morton College, Triton College & Waubonsee CC What colleges and/or universities did you attend as a student, and for what degrees? II attended Joliet Jr College and obtained an Associates of Arts degree. Then afterwards I transfer to Governors State University and graduated with my Bachelors of Arts, Psychology. What is your most memorable moment of college? Walking across the stage when I graduated from GSU was the most memorable for sure! I didn’t walk for my JJC graduation, so being able to walk across that stage in front of my whole family was unforgettable! What was something you couldn't live without in college? Haha I think my phone was a huge tool for me! I was able to keep track of my classes, work schedule, and research anything at the last minute. There were also some very helpful apps I was able to use! If you could do a (college/degree) all over again, what would you do differently? I would have asked for me help along the way. Being a first generation student, I didn’t have anyone in my family to help me “figure out” college. I taught myself everything along the way and never looked for help. Thinking back, many of the setbacks I had would have been easier to overcome had I looked for on-campus resources for help! Your most valuable "words of wisdom" for transfer students. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are so many resources available at most, if not all, colleges/universities that are there to make your life easier. It can seem intimidating to go into an unfamiliar office, but I promise you that the staff who are there want to get you all the help you may need!
fall 2021 convocation September 2nd officially kicked off the 2021-22 academic year, here at GSU. The Dual Degree Program celebrated with a small ceremony welcoming our DDP students who transferred in this fall semester, as well as those who transferred in Spring of 21 and Fall of 2020, who did not have the opportunity to be celebrated, due to COVID. Students in attendance all received a cord which represents their community college colors and honors their completion of their Associate Degrees. Check out the photo from the event below.
Event highlights
event highlights
Welcome back social On Wednesday, September 8th, DDP hosted our annual Fall Welcome Back Social, ON CAMPUS! It was nice to be able to be in person to have good food, play games and just catch up with all those who stopped by! Check out a few photos below:
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
Save The Dates
DDP Spring 2022 Scholarship Deadline Thursday, October 21, 2021 For those transferring to GSU in the Spring of 2022, the application deadline has been extended! See the next page of the Newsletter, or visit the DDP Scholarships website for more details about the three annual awards. #TransferStudentWeek & GSU Homecoming October 17 - 23, 2021 Join DDP for a week's worth of activities including: Transfer Student Tribute: Jaguar Rock Painting Oct 19 - 21, times TBD based on weather Stop by the GSU patio and sign the tribute rock that will be painted to honor National Transfer Student Week and GSU's Homecoming! DDP October Community Service Wednesday, October 30, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Iron Oaks Environmental Education Center needs our help retoring the paths for the fall season! Further details coming soon... Junior Jaguars Fest, GSU Family Development Center Thursday, October 21, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Volunteers needed to help with fun inflatable playland and craft projects for children enrolled at the FDC. Email dualdegree@govst.edu if interested! DDP Fall Induction Friday, November 5, 2021, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. For DDP students who are still pursuing an associate degree at their local community college, and have not yet attended a previous DDP Induction. Participants will receive an orientation to DDP, an opportunity to meet GSU admin and staff, and receive helpful resources in preparation for your transfer. Stay tuned for more details via email in October 2021! DDP November Community Service TBD - Details coming soon!
Fall 2021
Dear DDP Students and Supporters, Congratulations to the DDP students who graduated with their associate degrees and made your transition to GSU! While you are no longer required to check in with your DDP Transfer Specialist, the Dual Degree Program continues to be a resource for you while you are completing the second half of your dual degrees. Our team of DDP Student Transition Assistants and I are available both on-campus and remotely. We are here to answer your questions, point you in the right direction, or simply be there to listen on a hard day. Your first semester at the university may be overwhelming, but there is no need to face it alone! To all DDP students and supporters, have a safe and successful fall semester. We look forward to seeing you soon! Best, Jessica Specht Director of DDP
director's corner
Thank you!
Don’t forget to follow DDP’s Facebook page to view photo albums and be notified of future events!
As we continue to experience some of the most unusual times ever, we are happy we are a little better than this time last year! We hope that you have the best fall semester and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help!