DDP NEWSLETTER
In This Issue: Student Spotlight Page 2 New DDP Cohort @ GovState Page 3-4 DDP Scholarship Deadline Pages 5 Event Highlights Page 6 Campus Connection Page 7 Meet the DDP Team Page 8-9 Important Reminders Pages 10-11 Save the Dates Page 12-13 Director's Corner Page 14
September 2024
student spotlight
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Name: Angelika Babicz School: Moraine Valley Community College Major: English Hover & Scroll In what ways has the Dual Degree Program influenced your success? The way in which the Dual Degree Program has influenced my success is by granting me the privilege of a scholarship opportunity that allows me to focus on my education rather than my finances. What are your future plans at GSU? My future plans at GSU are to expand my knowledge through the excellent educational opportunities that GSU provides. I also plan on obtaining my bachelor's degree in English. What are you most excited about in regards to transferring to GSU? What I am most excited about in regard to transferring to GSU is meeting professors who are passionate in sharing their knowledge in their topics of expertise. I am also excited to build connections with my future classmates and peers. What tips would you offer students for success? A tip that I would like to offer students for success is to manage time and stay organized in order to meet deadlines, create quality work, and set time aside to properly study.
One Degree Down!
Diego Estrada (MVCC) Rebecca Fassbender (PSC) Blake Fialka (PSC) Karen Fleming (PSC) Jaylon Garner (SSC) Joseph Giordano (PSC) Victoria Gomez (MVCC) Estrella Gonzalez (SSC) Renee Hart (CCC-OH) Elizabeth Heenan (SSC) Emmanuel Hernandez (Triton) Zachary Hickman (KCC) Madelynn Huber (MVCC) Philrick Hurnes (CCC-HW)
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Dana Abunaim (MVCC) Trinity Adams (PSC) Jane Akpan (PSC) Morgan Arnold (CCC-HW) Angeles Arroyo (JJC) Angelica Arroyo (JJC) Lesley Avila (CCC-MX) Angelika Babicz (MVCC) Jon Bannister (PSC) Melissa Barker- Strong (CCC-OH) Antoinette Beal (PSC) Adam Benson (PSC) Kamil Biernat (MVCC) Jessica Blake (SSC)
Patrick Ingram (JJC) Gianna Jenkins (CCC-HW) Robert Johnson (KCC) Seth Jones (KCC) Alizah Kamran (MVCC) Michelle Kelley (PSC) Lea Kesner (JJC) Oluwatosin King (MVCC) Kathryn La Pierre (COD) Brooke Laakson (KCC) Alan Ledesma (PSC) Rachel Logan (JJC) Sebastian Lopez (CCC-HW) Thera Lopez (CCC-HW)
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 111 new students to Governors State University, and 13 are DDP scholarship recipients! It is our largest cohort in Dual Degree Program history!
Nathan Butkus (JJC) Emma Caise (KCC) Fatima Carbajal - Hernandez (PSC) Isabella Chavez (Triton) Lizette Chavez (PSC) Raymond Coleman (PSC) Kneandra Cooper (PSC) Natalie Cooper (CCC-TR) Kennedy Cross (PSC) Veronica Cruz (PSC) Alexander Dellorto (MVCC) Joseph DiChristofano (JJC) Amira Dolah (JJC) Justin Dreher (JJC)
Sophia Rusch (JJC) Joy Sapp (CCC-OH) Karli Schuster (JJC) Yazid Shareef (MVCC) Cierra Simmons (PSC) Lakeisha Smith (CCC-KK) Kendal Stanek (KCC) Melissa Stimson (KCC) Robert Szwet (PSC) Emma Talamonti (KCC) Matthew Talbot (COD) Deshawn Thomas (CCC-RD) Ariana Thomas Baskin (SSC) Dona Thornton (PSC)
welcome the new ddp transfer students to GSU! ....CONTINUED....
Madeline Majka (MVCC) Lacey McCann (KCC) Rodolfo Meza (PSC) Nfumu Mpiana (MVCC) Jacqueline Muro Castaneda (PSC) Raygen Nabors (MVCC) Dionne Nelson (SSC) Leah Nyblom (MVCC) Sean O'Brien (SSC) Joseph Ogunbode (SSC) Tiwaun Oliver (MVCC) Andrew Pack (JJC) Jamie Paclar (SSC) Leonardo Perez (PSC)
Skyler Tieri (KCC) Ethel Townsend (PSC) Israel Trujillo (CCC-RD) Shariel Tucker (PSC) Keith Turner (PSC) Socorro Unzueta (CCC-OH) Luke Van Duyne (JJC) Alejandra Vasquez (SSC) Nataija Watson (PSC) Jack Welker (MVCC) Alisha Whisenton (PSC) Annie Williams (SSC) Asia Williams (PSC)
Lucille Perkins (SSC) Allison Pfeffer (JJC) Claudia Podolak (MVCC) Jessica Postma (PSC) Amanda Powers (JJC) Lauren Przezdziecki (PSC) Marisol Ramos (PSC) Samantha Rangel (SSC) Jesus Reyes (SSC) Allie Rheinheimer (JJC) Maiya Robinson (PSC) Kasandra Robledo (CCC-TR) Taya Roe (JJC) Lia Rudisill (KCC)
DDP Scholarship Deadline
spring 2025 Scholarships Applications DUE: Thursday, October 3rd Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GSU in Spring 2025, 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.)
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 3, 2024
Gov-state Welcome week Block Party On Thursday, August 29th, the DDP Student Transition Assistants (STAs) participated in GovState's Welcome Week Student Organizations & Greek Life Block Party. Students were able to stop by say hello and sign up for many upcoming DDP events. Check out the Save the Dates on page 12 to see what is happening during fall semester!
STAs (front left to right) Nekhiyah Patton and Aarianna Clay, and First Gen Peer Mentors and fellow DDP students, Anthony Strickland (top left) and Anna Mitchell (top middle)
event highlights
STAs (front left to right) Nancy Cordero, Yasmin King, and Aarianna Clay
Campus connection
Laila Atra-Yassin Dual Degree Program Graduate Assistant Meet our new Grad Assistant, Laila Atra-Yassin! Laila joined the Dual Degree Program Fall of 2021 at Joliet Junior College. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Ethics, May 2024. She is now in her Grad program and will be assisting with DDP scholarship applications and mentoring DDP students at GovState. Learn more about Laila below! Hover & Scroll What are you getting your master’s degree in? Future Goals after completion? I am now in the graduate program getting my Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. My future goals after completion is to work in the field of Early Intervention working with children from ages 0-3 years and their caregivers. After getting experience working in the field, I would love to open my own non-profit practice that serves families who are uninsured or cannot afford the costs of occupational therapy. What has helped you to be successful and accomplished while being at GovState? The thing that has helped me be most successful and accomplished at GovState is my drive as a mom. I decided to go back to school so I can further help my son, Zakariya, who has autism. As I progressed my success came from me wanting my kids to know that with hard work, anything is possible. Is there anything you wish you knew before starting Grad School? There isn't anything specific that I wish I had known before starting grad school, but I will say that, for me, because of some changes at home, new schedules, and new routines, I have to find a new method for learning all the material. Best advice to be successful in Grad School? My best advice to being successful in grad school is to take advantage of all the resources you have at GovState. Ask as many questions as you can, and finally, I will share some advice my Professors in the OT program have told us: Remember that grad school is not about who has the highest grades, it is about who fully understands all the information and can take the information learned from grad school and be successful in the field after graduation. Your most valuable "words of wisdom" for our DDP students? My most valuable words of wisdom are to remember that the first step in knowledge is to listen, then to be quiet and attentive, then to preserve it, then to put it into practice, and then to spread it.
Nancy Cordero Prairie State College Secondary Ed-Social Sciences
Aarianna Clay Harold Washington College Communication Disorders
Angelica Perez Olive-Harvey College Criminal Justice
Meet the DDP team
DDP student Staff are here to help! DDP Student Transition Assistants (or "STAs") are DDP students that have transferred to GovState and are familiar with the various offices and services at the university. They have the resources and information to help make your transition to GovState as smooth and comfortable as possible. You can find them in room A2126 or call 708-235-7173. See below for this semester's team, as well as their major and community college they graduated from:
Yasmin King Joliet Junior College Community Health
Nekhiyah Patton Kennedy King College Psychology
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:
Alexandro Venegas City Colleges of Chicago (all seven campuses)
Meet The DDP Team
Sharita Walker Kankakee Community College Prairie State College South Suburban College
Important Reminders
The 2025-2026 fafsa is set to open in december! 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 or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) Your 2023 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 UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS: 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 2025, 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 GovState for 2025 admissions!
FALL 2024
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
DDP ProDevoDay - SCHOLARSHIPS! E-Lounge @ GovState Tuesday, Sept 17, 2024, 3:30-5:30pm Attendees will learn how to navigate the Scholarship Universe search tool, apply for Foundation Scholarships, and strategies for success when applying for a DDP Scholarship prior to transferring. All DDP and community college students are invited. Register Here! Spring 2025 Scholarship Deadline Thursday, Oct 3, 2024, 11:59pm For those transferring to GovState in the Spring of 2025, 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, 5:30-7pm 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 GovState. Invitations were sent via email to eligible students on 9/6/2024. Continued on next page....
Save The Dates
National Transfer Student Week Oct 21-25, 2024 Visit www.govst.edu/transferstudentweek for more info as the week approaches! Tau Sigma Transfer Student Social - Mon, Oct 21 Transferring into the Honors College - Wed, Oct 23 Transfer Instant Admissions Day - Thur, Oct 24 And more! GovState Homecoming Week Oct 27-Nov 2, 2024 Stay tuned for event announcements DDP Fall Orientation 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 one Orientation prior to transferring to GovState! Stay tuned for Fall 2024 monthly DDP volunteer opportunities!
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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 GovState this fall. We are celebrating our LARGEST DDP TRANSFER COHORT ever! Congrats again on forever being part of DDP history! 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, Graduate Assistant, 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 the Dual Degree Program
Director's message