In This Issue: DDP Scholarship Deadline Page 2 Student Spotlight Page 3 Class of 2023-2024 Page 4-6 Kudos & Congrats Page 7-8 Important Reminders Pages 9-10 Event Highlights Pages 11-14 Save the Dates Page 15-16 Director's Message Page 17
may/June 2024
DDP NEWSLETTER
DDP Scholarship Deadline
transferring spring 2025? Applications DUE Thursday, oct 3rd Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GovState in Spring 2025, make sure to apply for the GovState 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
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 GovState for up to four semesters at GovState (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 GovState 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 3, 2024
student spotlight
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Name: Jon Bannister School: Prairie State College Major: Psychology Hover & Scroll In what ways has the Dual Degree Program influenced your success? "The DDP has helped lay down a plan for my future and really helped with costs as well." What are your future plans at GovState? "I plan on getting my bachelors then attending grad school." What are you most excited about in regards to transferring to GovState? "I'm excited to start my next journey." What tips would you offer students for success? "Stress management is very important and your mental health should come first."
ddp Graduation cording ceremony On Tuesday, May 14th, we celebrated the nearly 60 DDP students graduating from Governors State University. Graduates received a black and white cord braided with the color of their original community college; this symbolizes the attainment of both the associate and bachelor's degrees. We were fortunate to have representation from four partnering community colleges along side GovState faculty, staff, as well as lots of family and friends join us on that evening!
class of 2023-2024
Click for full album!
Oluwasegun Ajala (PSC) Tia Anderson (SSC) Laila Atra-Yassin (JJC) Brenda Banuelos (SSC) Bibiana Benitez (Daley) Ramus Berryhill (MVCC) Daniel Budds (JJC) Ariss Burton (SSC) Nadia Butler (KCC) Isidro Cabrera (Daley) Oscar Camargo (KCC) Alexis Clark (SSC) Angenet Davis (SSC)
Kimberly Gonzalez (KKing) Keion Goree (PSC) DeAngelo Hall (SSC) Mya Henry (SSC) Darrell Hipple (KCC) Sonya Hoard (PSC) Desiree Horton (Triton) Emma Hoskins (KCC) Lamaya Jackson (MVCC) Cassaries Johnson (PSC) Sashay Jones (HWash) Youbode Joway (Truman) Sohaiba Khan (JJC)
Please join us in congratulating our DDP students who have graduated with their bachelor's degrees from Governors State University during the 2023-2024 academic year!
Kara De La Leurs (MVCC) Jasmine Dunson (PSC) Zitlali Garcia (KCC) Stephanie Gardner (KCC) Mia Gasperini (KCC) Jason Gonzalez (JJC)
Urooj Khan (JJC) Abdu-Alrahman Kittaneh (MVCC) Anyi Leon (PSC) Allison Logan (JJC) Ike Maina (CCC-MalX) Luis Martinez (CCC-HWash) Kevin Milani (MVCC)
Deborah Smyles (PSC) Arika Stanley (KCC) Frances Stratman (JJC) Janice Taylor (PSC) David White (PSC) Lisa Wilcox (JJC) Paul Wilson (SSC)
Melek Mohamad (PSC) Kaitlyn Murphy (PSC) Rebecca Murphy (PSC) Aleksandr Nowak (PSC) Alaina Parsons (MalX) Jill Patel (MVCC) Cynthia Renteria (HWash) Angel Rivera (Morton) Denzail Robinson (HWash) Joanna Rodriguez (PSC) Elaina Sais (KCC)
Continued...
Class of 2023-2024
Kudos & congrats
Laila Atra-Yassin Psychology
Luis Martinez Accounting
Brenda Banuelos Elementary Education
Jason Gonzalez Media Studies
GovState 2024 Honors Program Graduates Congratulations to this year's DDP graduates who have received full University Honors!
Emma Caise (KCC) Fatima Carbajal-Hernandez (PSC) Victoria Gomez (MVCC) Lauren Kelley-Lash (CCC-OHar) Raygen Nabors (MVCC) Sean O'Brien (SSC)
Claudia Podolak (MVCC) Miriam Ramirez (PSC) Karli Schuster (JJC) Andrea Shimp (PSC) Kendel Stanek (KCC) Robert Szwet (PSC)
Allison Flaws Laretta Graves Atzihri Guido Rasmeia Jabarah
It's Official- Fall 2024 DDP Scholarship recipients Congrats to all of our DDP Scholarship recipients who will be transferring to GovState this upcoming fall semester:
Latrice Jones Kyla Krajnovich Loren Lazzara Keri Mirabelli
Tau Sigma National Honors society @ GovSTATE Kudos to DDP’s newest inductees to Tau Sigma (transferred in 2023 and achieved a 3.5+ GPA in their first semester):
Anna Mitchell Christopher O’Farrell Angelica Perez Arielle Powell
Nancy Cordero Thomas Daily Brenda Encinas-Vega Sarai Espinosa
Alex Szczender Lakeyda Thompson McKenna Tighe Alima Williams
Dana Abunaim (MVCC) Morgan Arnold (CCC-HWash) Angelika Babicz (MVCC) Jon Bannister (PSC) Melissa Barker-Strong (CCC-OHarv) Kamil Biernat (MVCC)
deadlines for Fall programs are fast approaching! If you are planning to transfer to GovState in Fall 2024, 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: Fall 6/15/24 Nursing (RN to BSN): Fall 8/1/24 Community Health: Fall 8/17/24 Social Work: Fall 8/4/24 IS your Financial Aid ready for fall semester? Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to maximize financial aid opportunities including the Illinois MAP grant. When asked what institutions you wish your report to be sent to, be sure to include: GovState's Financial Aid Code: 009145 Have you heard about ISAC's Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid? The Illinois Student Assistance Commission's (ISAC) 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!
Important Reminders
DDP transfer checklist Getting Ready to Transfer? For those preparing to make your transfer to a university this fall semester, here is a checklist designed to make sure that you have completed all necessary steps to make a seamless transition to your final transfer destination. For assistance with any of the checklist items, please contact your DDP Transfer Specialist. They are ready to help you make a smooth transition towards your bachelor's degree. Scroll down the list to make sure ▶ Unsure about something? Contact DDP today!
Hover & Scroll Apply/petition for graduation at your community college Apply to GovState (and other institutions of interest) Be mindful of special program deadlines! Order transcripts from each institution you have attended. Have them sent to: Electronically to: apotranscripts@govst.edu By mail: Governors State University, Admissions Processing, 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484 Add GovState school code (009145) to your FAFSA Apply for student housing (if applicable). Be mindful of housing application and deposit deadlines! Receive your program acceptance e-letter with new student login, ID#, and advisor contact info Contact your new academic advisor for important information regarding your major and course scheduling Log into the MyGSU student portal and register for classes - Fall Class Schedule is available now! Receive your new student materials (student ID, textbooks, etc.) Once your associate degree is complete, send final official transcript to GSU Submit your immunization forms, and other necessary documents (such as Financial Aid verification) to begin on time this fall semester!
Carolina Mercado (KCC) Fernando Orellana (KCC) Michaela Moir (MVCC) Kneandra Cooper (PSC)
Event highlights
DDP spring 2024 orientation (formerly "DDP Induction") On April 12, we welcomed 16 of our newest DDP students to this spring's DDP Orientation. Students learned about the many benefits of DDP, as well as steps to successfully complete their associate degree and transfer to GovState for their bachelor’s degree (visit the DDP Facebook page for the full photo album.) Congrats and welcome to DDP! Haven't attended DDP Induction yet? See the "Save the Dates" section for details about the Fall '24 Orientation Ceremony!
Angelica Arroyo (JJC) Angeles Arroyo (JJC) Adam Bloniarz (JJC) Bradly Galarza (KCC)
Oluwaseun Ariyo (PSC) Morgan Arnold (CCC-HW) Melanie Durham (CCC-HW) Glenford Flowers (CCC-RD)
Alan Ledesma (PSC) Tiffany Perkins (PSC) Mariah Lewis (SSC) Sean O’Brien (SSC)
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. Check out photos from events that took place over the course of this spring semester! You Matter 2 benefiting Jack and Jill of America benefiting South Suburban PADS and Project Kennedy! Prairie State College's TRIO program!
January 2024
DDP Monthly Community service events February 2024 March 2024 Open Access (Homewood, IL) Special Olympics of Illinois (Stagg High School, Palos Hills, IL) Donation Center for Families in Crisis Annual Swim Competition and Award Ceremony
DDP Monthly Community service events April 2024 May 2024 Anew: Building Beyond Violence & Abuse (Homewood, IL) Orland Grassland Preserve (Orland Park, IL) Community Non-profit Agency Combating Domestic Violence Cook County Forest Preserve's "Stewardship Days"
Welcome Week @ GovState Aug 26-30, 2024 Stay tuned for event updates! DDP Back-2-School Social Hall of Honors (D1490) @ GovState Wednesday, Sept 4, 2024, 3-5pm Meet fellow DDP friends from all stages of transfer at GSU. Enjoy food, games, and win DDP merch. Spring 2025 Scholarship Deadline Thursday, Oct 3, 2024, 11:59pm For those transferring to GSU in the Spring of 2024, the deadline to apply for a DDP Honors, DDP Promise, or DDP Chicago Star Scholars Scholarship. See page three for more details! DDP Welcome Cording Ceremony Hall of Governors @ GovState Friday, Oct 11, 2024, 6-7pm Dual Degree Program students who transferred to Governors State University in the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2024 will be honored at a cording ceremony to acknowledge the completion of their associate degree and successful transfer to GSU.
FALL 2024
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
Save The Dates
National Transfer Student Week Oct 21-25, 2024 Stay tuned for event announcements Homecoming Week @ GovState Oct 27-Nov 2, 2024 Stay tuned for event announcements DDP Orientation (Fall Option) Engbretson Hall @ GovState Friday, Nov 15, 2024, 1-4pm Semi-annual Orientation for DDP students who are still attending community college. Students are asked to attend an Orientation prior to transferring to GovState. Stay tuned for Fall 2024 monthly DDP community service opportunities!
Fall 2024 Continued...
Dear DDP Students and Supporters, Another year, and another DDP cohort has graduated! Congratulations to the nearly 60 Dual Degree Program (DDP) graduates that walked across the Commencement stage at Tinley Park Convention Center on May 18th, and to the over 150 DDP students that completed their associate degrees at our community college partners. The next chapter of your journey is yours to define! While we prepare for the fall semester, the DDP team is ready to assist if you need anything. Give us a call, email, or stop by our offices and we'll be happy to help. Unsure how to reach out? Visit www.govst.edu/ddp-contact/ for more info. Thank you for a great spring and see you soon! Best, Jessica Specht, M.A. Director of the Dual Degree Program
Director's message