In This Issue: 1,000 DDP Transfers! Page 2 Student Spotlight Page 3 Scholarship Reminder Page 4 Updates for Spring '22 Page 5 - 6 Event Highlights Page 7 Save the Dates Page 8 Director's Corner Page 9
DDP NEWSLETTER
February 2022
1,000 ddp transfers!
The Dual Degree Program welcomed its first cohort of transfer students back in the Spring of 2012, which consisted of only three students! We are proud to announce that as of this Spring 2022 semester, we have welcomed over 1,000 DDP transfer students to Governors State University! The Dual Degree Program has always taken pride in the work we do to help students succeed, and we are grateful to have reached this accomplishment! Welcome the New Spring 2022 DDP transfer students to GSU Congrats to all of the DDP students who completed their associate degrees at one of our 17 partner community colleges, and then transferred to GSU this Spring 2022 semester: Jon-Michael Barger (KCC) Rishonna Kemp (PSC) Sandra Ruiz (JJC) Montiana Bew (JJC) Reyna Licea (PSC) Frances Stratman (JJC) Amber Blakney (JJC) Crystal Little (CCC-OH) Briana Thompson (PSC) David Estrada (PSC) Luis A. Martinez (CCC-HW) Nathanael Vanoskey (MVCC) Arielle Fancher (PSC) Jordyn McGrath (PSC) Mackinley Wilburn (JJC) Elzina Gray (SSC) Kevin Milani (MVCC) Lisa Wilcox (JJC) Kaitlyn Hasenfang (MVCC) Denisse Recendiz (PSC) Paul Wilson (SSC) Yareli Jaimes (CCC-DA)
Name: Brenda Banuelos School: South Suburban College Major: Elementary Education In what ways has the Dual Degree Program influenced your success? The Dual Degree program has directly influenced my success. As a first-generation college student, DDP provided me with a personal advisor who guided me through the transfer process and helped me transfer seamlessly from my community college keeping me on path to my bachelor’s degree. What are your future plans at GSU? My future plans at GSU are to graduate in 2024 with a licensure in elementary education.I also plan to take advantage of the many opportunities GSU has to offer like the Tau Sigma National Honors Society and volunteer opportunities hosted by DDP. What are you most excited about in regards to transferring to GSU? I am most exited about attending GSU to further my knowledge and learn more about my field. I know GSU will challenge me and help me grow professionally so that I have the confidence and skills to become an exceptional teacher. What tips would you offer students for success? I would highly recommend that all students take advantage of the many resources GSU has to offer. Everyone is so welcoming and committed to your success, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions.
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student spotlight
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, February 24, 2022!
Fall 2022 DDP Scholarship application deadline: Thursday, February 24 Would you like to attend GSU for FREE? If you are transferring to GSU in Fall 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.
DDP SCholarship REminder
Spring 2022 community college graduation petition deadlines! 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 for further instructions on applying! City Colleges of Chicago: See Advisor Kankakee CC: May 1st South Suburban College: April 1 College of DuPage: March 15 Morton College: April 7 Triton College: February 15 Harper College: One week after Midterms Moraine Valley CC: February 1 Waubonsee CC: February 15 Joliet Junior College: March 31 Prairie State College: March 1
important updates
Important updates
CHECK IN WITH YOUR DDP TRANSFER SPECIALIST tHE tRANSFER sPECIALIST ARE BACK AT SOME OF YOUR CAMPUSES! Still attending 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
Event highlights
9th annual ddp career symposium - Feb 22-24 Getting ready to apply for an internship? Preparing for graduation this spring? Join us for a series of topics providing tools to ensure your career path is well-planned and excuted. Hosted by the Dual Degree Program in collaboration with GSU's Office of Career Services and Center for the Junior Year. Open to all DDP students. Registration is required. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Topics for the week include: Strategies for Both Virtual & In-Person Interviews (Tue, 2-3 p.m.) Supporting your Career Exploration (Tue, 3-4 p.m.) "To Grad School, or Not to Grad School?" (Wed, 12-1 p.m.) Maximizing Your LinkedIn Experience (Wed, 2-3 p.m.) Writing Resumes & Cover Letters (Thur, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.) Internships 101 (Thur, 2-3 p.m.)
Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!
Save The Dates
DDP Spring Social *To be rescheduled* More details to follow! DDP Career Symposium February 22-24, 2022 Preparing for your graduation after spring? Looking for internships? Well join us virtually for a week of different topics providing lots of tools to ensure your career path is well planned and executed. See page seven for details and registration link. DDP Scholarship Deadline for Fall Thursday, February 24, 2022 For those transferring to GSU in the Fall of 2022, see page four of the Newsletter, or visit the DDP Scholarships website for more details about the: GSU Promise Scholarship, DDP Honors Scholarship, and DDP Chicago STAR Scholarship DDP Induction Friday, April 8, 2022, 9:30 a.m. - 1i:00 p.m. DDP students are required to attend a DDP Induction before transferring to GSU. Stay tuned for more details via email in March 2022. DDP Cording Ceremony Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. DDP students graduating from GSU will be honored during an in-person cording ceremony at GSU's Center for Performing Arts, to acknowledge the completion of their DUAL degrees. Formal invitations will be mailed in early April 2022.
Spring 2022
Dear DDP Students and Supports, As you know, the DDP provides an accessible and affordable pathway for students to complete both their associate and bachelor's degrees. To aid in the affordability, DDP students can compete for scholarship that cover their tuition and fees at GSU! These awards are ONLY available to DDP students! The selection committee reads through every application, and takes many factors into consideration. Even if you have never applied for a scholarship or held a leadership position before, don't let that stop you! Contact your DDP Transfer Specialist or visit the DDP Scholarships page for more information. Best wishes to the upcoming candidates! Happy New Year, and have a safe and successful spring semester. Best, Jessica Specht Director of DDP jspecht@govst.edu (708) 534-4494
director's corner
Thank you!
We hope that you have the best spring semester and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help!
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