Celebrating the 2026 Dual Degree Program graduates
The largest class to date set to graduate
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Speaking to the 2026 Dual Degree Program (DDP) graduates, the largest class of the program’s history, Governors State University’s (GovState) Provost Beverly Schneller reminded the students that they have the ability to drive change.
“All it takes is one hook and you can build a better future because you’re building the blocks of community and belonging and relationships, which you then turn into shared values, sustainability, and the change that will continue to transform our world,” said Provost Schneller, who noted the graduates' unique skills and knowledge as a result of choosing DDP.
The DDP program is a partnership between GovState and 17 Chicagoland community colleges that provides transfer students with a seamless pathway to earn their associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Having welcomed over 1,460 students to the program since its first cohort in 2012, this year’s class has 102 DDP graduates; 46 of them attended the graduate celebration leading up to Commencement.
At the event, DDP graduates gathered among family, friends, GovState leadership, including President Joyce C. Ester, and representatives from DDP’s partner colleges to receive the second of their dual cords. These braided cords feature black and white to represent the original colors of GovState woven with an additional color to represent the graduate’s community college.
Together, the colors signify the graduates’ academic journeys which began at a local community college to earn their associate degree and continued at GovState for their bachelor’s degree.
Director of DDP, Jessica Specht, commended the class on their accomplishments.
“There’s no doubt that you have made an impact here at Governors State,” said Specht. “You participated in the Honors Colleges, athletics, served in leadership roles and student organizations on top of being amazing students in your classes.”
She also noted that within the 2026 graduating class, there are 10 University Honors graduates, 26 DDP scholarship recipients, a Commencement speaker, a Student Senate President, and student organization presidents.
As a sendoff to the DDP Class of 2026, President Ester shared that it is not so much the time it took to get their degree that matters, but the actual degree, and she emphasized the power the graduates have to make a difference.
“You all in the DDP program represent exactly what higher education can be and is for this country and for our society,” said President Ester. “We know that you are going to change lives in whatever you do after you leave here, so congratulations and I’ll see you on Saturday.”