February 2026 DDP Newsletter

In This Issue: One Degree Down: Page 2  New DDP Spring Cohort Student Spotlight: Page 3  Markos Camarena-Rosales DDP Scholarship Deadline Page 4 Important Reminders Pages 5-7 Campus Connections: Page 8  GovState Honors College Event Highlights Pages 9-11 Save the Dates Page 12 Director's Message Page 13 February 2026 DDP NEWSLETTER One Degree Down! Andres Macias (MVCC) Ibrahim Mahmoud (MVCC) Rosalind Malinowski (SSC) Khaled Masadeh (MVCC) Islei Mayweather (TC) Lashay Miller (CCC-MX) Kevin Nikliborc (MVCC) Daniela Aguilera (CCC-OlvHvy) Chris Biederstedt (JJC) Brian Campagna (MVCC) Pearjiayra Coleman (SSC) Julianna Dudich (MVCC) Zahirrah El-Amin (PSC) Alondra Gomez Sanchez (PSC) Katalin Haffner (MVCC) Samantha Pratus (MVCC) Alyssa Ray (SSC) Yesenia Segura (JJC) Hamza Shihadeh (MVCC) Paulina Villarreal (SSC) Vincent Ward (PSC) Donte Williams (CCC-OlvHvy) Joseph Xique (MVCC) welcome the new ddp transfer students to Govstate! Congratulations to all the DDP students who graduated from their community college and transferred to Governors State this spring semester. We are excited to be welcoming 30 new students to GovState! Rebecca Hagensee (SSC) Malik Harris (CCC-MX) Diego Hernandez (PSC) Caroline Jagodka (MVCC) Theresa Johnson (CCC-KK) Habeeblahi Kareem (SSC) Harmoni Kilgore (JJC) student spotlight click here Name: Markos Camarena-Rosales School: Prairie State College Major: Accounting Hover & Scroll In what ways has the Dual Degree Program influenced your success? DDP has helped me stay on top of my future along with making sure I am doing what I am supposed to in the present. What are your future plans at GovState? I plan to complete my Bachlor's at GovState for accounting whilst staying active in my community. What are you most excited about in regards to transferring to GovState? I am excited to meet new people find new opportunites and just generally happy to keep pushing forward toward accomplishing my goals. What tips would you offer students for success? Tips I suggest is talk to people who knows you may get very good information you didn't even know you were looking for. Stay active in all aspects of your life; the small stuff matters :). DDP Scholarship Deadline transferring Fall 2026? Applications DUE Thursday, Feb 19th Would you like to attend GovState for FREE? If you are transferring to GovState in Fall 2026, make sure to apply for the GSU 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, February 19, 2026 Important Reminders The 2026-2027 fafsa is open! 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 GSU's Code: 009145 UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS:  Have you heard of the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid? The 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. 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 in Summer or Fall 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: Summer 3.15.2026 & Fall 6.15.2026 Nursing (RN to BSN): Summer 5.1.2026 & Fall 8.1.2026 Community Health: Summer 5.15.2026 & Fall 8.17.2026 Social Work: Summer 4.8.2026 & Fall 8.4.2026 Click here if you are ready to apply to GovState for 2026 admissions! Graduating this semester? Don't forget to apply to graduate! Many schools (including GovState) have deadlines as early as February 1st. Speak with a counselor/advisor at your campus or DDP Transfer Specialist for deadline and application info. Important Reminders meet the ddp team Eunice Gomez City Colleges of Chicago  (all seven campuses) Sharita Walker Kankakee Community College Prairie State College  South Suburban College 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: Campus Connection click here Hover & Scroll Honors College Governors State University GovState’s Honors College is a diverse group of engaged students who share a passion for learning. More than 150 students from all four degree-granting colleges and over 20 undergraduate degree program areas are part of the GovState Honors College. Students accepted into the GovState Honors College will be immersed in experiences that offer the most amazing opportunities to learn about your interests, issues, and trends. Click Here to Learn More! Honors College Student Point of View Many of our DDP students are members of the Honors College. Read about a few of their experiences and how the program has benefited them throughout their journeys at GovState: Angelika Babicz MVCC Alum Majoring in English Graduating Spring 2026 "Participating in GovState Honors College has impacted my bachelor's degree experience through providing enriching opportunities and guidance throughout my academic journey. It has introduced me to a supportive community that has fostered my growth in leadership, teamwork, and scholarly research." Rebecca Fassbender PSC Alum Majoring in Pre-Clinical Psychology Graduating Spring 2026 "The Honors College has challenged me to push beyond my perceived limitations by encouraging participation in the Research and Development (RAD) program, which has helped to develop the research skills necessary to continue my education in graduate school as I pursue my doctorate in clinical psychology. Additionally, the Honors College has empowered me to lean into my skills as a leader both on campus and in my community." Event highlights fall 2025 Orientation On November 21, we welcomed 12 of our newest DDP students to this fall’s DDP Induction. 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 event albums. Congrats and welcome to DDP! Haven't attended DDP Induction yet? See the "Save the Dates" section for details about the Spring '26 Orientation! Thomas Bott (KCC) Loris Cannon (MVCC) Latricia Cool (PSC) Christin Hanson (SSC) Krystal Leon (SSC) Brandon Nowak (MVCC) Lukas Picht (PSC) Yesenia Segura (JJC) Amalia Senodenos (MVCC) Jacquelin Urias (JJC) Pashence Vasser (SSC) Terra Benson (KCC) Visit the DDP Facebook page for the full album! Event highlights 2025 Welcome Cording Ceremony On October 24th, the Dual Degree Program hosted our "DDP Welcome Cording Ceremony"! Student who transferred to GovState in the spring, summer, or fall of 2025 were honored with a cord representing the color of the community college where they recently graduated with their associate degree. In the company of several GovState and community college administration, students were corded by their respective DDP Transfer Specialists. 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 the events that took place over the course of this fall semester! October 2025 December 2025  Thorn Creek Woods & Nature Preserve (Park Forest, IL) Northern Illinois Food Bank (Joliet, IL)  Prairie Sampler and Trail Workday Food Sorting and Distribution Event highlights Save The Dates Hover & Scroll February Community Engagement: Valentines for Seniors GovState, Lakeside Lounge Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 11:00am-1:00pm Decorate Valentines for local Senior Centers No Registration Necessary DDP Scholarship Deadline for Fall 2025 Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7:00pm Planning to transfer to GovState in Summer/Fall 2026? Visit www.govst.edu/ddp-scholarships/ or see page 4 for more information to apply. Pasta & Pathways...to Graduate School! GovState, E-Lounge  Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 5:30-7:00pm Learn about Bachelor's-to-Master's pathways that are possible as a transfer student at GovState. Both traditional and guaranteed pathways will be featured. Pasta dinner will be served. Bring a friend!  REGISTER NOW: https://apply.govst.edu/register/pasta&pathways DDP Spring Orientation GovState, Engbretson Hall Friday, March 20th, 2026, 1:00-3:00pm Dual Degree Program students currently attending community college are invited to GovState to learn more about the benefits of DDP, how to apply for a DDP Scholarship, opportunity to win a bookstore gift card and other prizes, and receive helpful resources in preparation for transfer. DDP students are encouraged to attend Orientation as early as possible after joining! REGISTER NOW: https://apply.govst.edu/register/ddporientationSP26 DDP Graduation Cording Ceremony GovState, Center for Performing Arts Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:00-7:00pm Dual Degree Students who are earning their bachelor's degrees will be honored with their second and final DDP cord. During the ceremony, students will receive a black and white cord braided with the color of their community college, representing the attainment of both the associate and bachelor's degree.  Invitations will be mailed in early April! Stay tuned for more opportunities to volunteer via your student email! Spring 2026 Be sure to check your email for further details  on events mentioned here! Dear DDP Students and Supporters, Welcome back to classes and happy February. I hope everyone is staying warm and getting ready for GRADUATION! Before you know it our next group of community college graduates will be transferring to GovState, and our GovState graduates will be moving onto the next chapter of their lives! Please be sure to connect with your DDP Transfer Specialist or myself, to ensure you what you need for that next step. During the semester, don't forget to join us at a DDP event to help you make the most of your dual degrees. Connecting with each other is what makes DDP different from other transfer programs. We'd love to see you as often as you are able! Thank you, and have a safe and successful spring semester. Best, Jessica Specht Director of the Dual Degree Program Director's message