Sept 2025 DDP Newsletter

DDP NEWSLETTER In This Issue: New DDP Cohort @ GovState Page 2-3 Student Spotlight Page 4 DDP Scholarship Deadline Page 5 Event Highlights Pages 6-7 Meet the DDP Team Page 8 Important Reminders Pages 9-10 Save the Dates Page 11-12 September 2025 One Degree Down! Gabrielle Fredrickson (PSC) Jessica Garcia (JJC) Chakaylain Griggs (PSC) Nadia Habib (HC) Alika Hankton (CCC-KK) Tavarius Harston (CCC-HW) Genesis Hill (PSC) Olivia Jeziorczak (MVCC) Caron Jones (PSC) Briseyda Juarez (PSC) Peyton Lamb (MVCC) Paris Lane (PSC) Yesenia Leonides (MVCC) Mariah Lewis (SSC) Continued on next page... Khalil Abu Samra (MVCC) Diego Acuna (MVCC) LaShandra Adams (KCC) Tyree Anderson (PSC) Matthew Anderson (SSC) Talia Anderson (SSC) Mahmoud Aqrabawi (MVCC) Anthony Arthur (SSC) Stephanie Ayala (PSC) Nadeen Beituni (JJC) Nicholas Blake (SSC) Nyla Bolar (SSC) Carson Calderon (JJC) Andrea Castellanos (PSC) Vanessa Liendo (MVCC) Laela Lopez (KCC) Jalyn Marshall (MVCC) Gabriella Maurizi (KCC) Aryanna McKenney (SSC) Alicia Mendez (KCC) Lemma Mezied (MVCC) Tia Miller (PSC) Cassandra Montero (PSC) Alvaro Montero (PSC) Adam Muhammad (MVCC) Daniela Nieves (PSC) Tyler Isaiah Odems (SSC) Jennifer Osborne (JJC_ welcome the new ddp transfer students to Govstate! Congratulations to all of our students who graduated from their community college and transferred to GovState this summer or fall semester. We are excited to be welcoming 94 new students to Governors State University, and 22 are DDP scholarship recipients! Deana Coleman (PSC) Liam Crotty (MVCC) Rebecca Cullina (MVCC) Devin Dale (PSC) Estephanie Diaz (MVCC) Jay Dominguez (SSC) Grace Dwyer (MVCC) Josalyn Edge (JJC) Hailey Erhardt (JJC) MICHELLE FASHAWE (CCC-TC) Julianna Flores (JJC) Jordan Fox (KCC) Nora Fraider (MVCC) Bridget Frederikse (JJC) JYecenia Serna-Flores (KCC) Lucas Seymour (SSC) Saja Shaaout (SSC) Amin Shuebi (MVCC) Shania Smiley (CCC-MX) Terri Stigter (JJC) Sean Storer (KCC) Akeema Styles (SSC) Mayra Suarez (CCC-DA) welcome the new ddp transfer students to Govstate! ....CONTINUED.... Charli Palmateer (KCC) Andrew Patterson (JJC) Darius Perry (PSC) Octavia Phifer (CCC-OH) Zaria Pittman (SSC) Joselyn Posada (CCC-DA) Sarah Pozdal (JJC) Delia Puckett (JJC) Nathan Puckett (JJC) Sanaa Reed (PSC) One Degree Down! Quartney Taylor (SSC) Tyshiuna Tulbert CCC- OH) Andrew Tyms (PSC) Alex Udaykee (MVCC) Maaliyah Van Dyke (PSC) Anayedzy Vega (SSC) Kennedey Walton (PSC) Danielle Whitted (SSC) TNya Williams (SSC) Carlos Zamora (CCC-MX) Karen Reyes (CCC-MX) Billy Richard (PSC) Esmeralda Rodriguez (SSC) DeAnna Rogers (CCC-KK) Madison Rogers (KCC) Marisol Rosas-Reyes (MVCC) Inka Salinas (MVCC) Faris Sallouha (MVCC) Jack Sasak (MVCC) student spotlight click here Name: Esmeralda Rodriguez School: South Suburban College Major: Accounting Hover & Scroll In what ways has the Dual Degree Program influenced your success? The Dual Degree Program opened the door for volunteer work I had always wanted to do but didn’t know how to start. It also provided a scholarship that eased financial stress and allowed me to focus on completing my studies. What are your future plans at GovState? My future plans at GovState are to stay actively involved in campus life while completing my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.. What are you most excited about in regards to transferring to GovState? I am most excited about the variety of clubs that are offered and the many resources available to help student through their studies. What tips would you offer students for success? Most important is to use the resources your school offers! Get involved in groups to network and make the most out of your experience. DDP Scholarship Deadline spring 2026 Scholarships Applications DUE: Thursday, October 2nd Would you like to attend GovState for FREE? If you are transferring to GovState in Spring 2026, 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 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 2, 2025 Gov-state Welcome week Block Party On Thursday, August 28th, the DDP Staff 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 11 to see what is happening during fall semester! event highlights DDP WELCOME BACK SOCIAL On Wednesday September 3rd, the DDP hosted it's annual Welcome Back Social. Students were able to stop by, grab a snack, catch up with old friends, make some new ones and play a few games! It was a fun break from the books. Check out a few photos from the day below! event highlights Click to See Temporary Advising Schedules City Colleges of Chicago   Sharita Walker Kankakee Community College Prairie State College  South Suburban College Meet The DDP Team 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: Juan Gonzalez College of DuPage  Harper College  Joliet Junior College  Moraine Valley Community College Morton College Triton College Waubonsee Community College Important Reminders The 2026-2027 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 2024 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 GovState'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 GovState in Spring 2026, 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 2026 admissions! Important Reminders FALL 2025 Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here! Spring 2026 Scholarship Deadline Thursday, Oct 2, 2025, 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 24 2025, 6-7pm Dual Degree Program students who transferred to Governors State University in the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025 will be honored at a cording ceremony to acknowledge the completion of their associate degree and successful transfer to GovState. Invitations will be sent later this month National Transfer Student Week Oct 20-24, 2025 Visit www.govst.edu/transferstudentweek for more info as the week approaches Continued on next page.... Save The Dates GovState Homecoming Week Oct 26-Nov 1, 2025 Stay tuned for event announcements DDP Fall Orientation Engbretson Hall @ GovState Friday, Nov 21, 2025, 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! Monthly DDP Community Services Stay tuned for event announcements We Hope You Have a Wonderful 2025, Fall Semester! Continued Save The Dates Be sure to check your email for further details on the events mentioned here!