Jaguar LEAP Summer Immersion Program

Upon completion of the Jaguar LEAP program, students will be able to:

• 1. Effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups as they cultivate social belonging to the Jaguar community and collegial life.
• 2. Practice effective academic skills, such as time management, study strategies, critical thinking, reading comprehension, etc.
• 3. Discover the academic requirements, support systems, and campus resources available at GovState, empowering them to successfully enroll and persist in their Fall semester courses.
• 4. Engage in campus programs and activities that build upon personal interests, values, and strengths to establish community and bolster personal and professional relationships.
• 5. Explain career-readiness and the benefits of participating in learning opportunities to strengthen these skills.

During Jaguar LEAP, you’ll earn seven college credits, giving you a jumpstart on your first year.

• • Mastering College: Navigating Higher Education (1 credit)
• • First Year Seminar: Interdisciplinary Humanities (3 credits)
• • General Education Course (3 credits)
• • LEAP 0100: Prepare for Success Workshops (Non-Credit)

During Jaguar LEAP, whether you choose to live on campus or not, you’ll participate in exciting events hosted by the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs, both near campus and in downtown Chicago.

You’ll also get a chance to explore and meet the amenities and people that make up GovState, such as:

• • Center for Performing Arts
• • Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
• • Athletics and Recreation Center
• • Biological Field Station
• • Center for Community Media
• • Office of International Services
• • Academic Resource Center
• • First Generation Center
• • Latinx Resource Center
• • Counseling and Wellness Center

As part of the LEAP program, you’ll also complete a series of workshops designed to support your transition to college. The workshops planned are described below:

Academic Advising

• • “Your Academic Pathway to success”: Academic advising is an ongoing collaborative educational process of shared responsibility between student and advisor—a partnership. This partnership requires the participation and involvement of both the advisor and the student. Academic Advising-A partnership in academic success- What are the benefits of Academic Advising. Working with an academic advisor provides multiple benefits academically and professionally.


• • “Highlighting the Hidden Curriculum”: The hidden curriculum refers to the unwritten, unofficial, and sometimes unintended lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in an educational setting. This course section will explore how social norms, expectations, and institutional structures shape student experiences outside of formal curricula. Students will learn to identify elements of the hidden curriculum, recognize its impact on academic success, and develop strategies to navigate these subtle dynamics in their college journey. By understanding these hidden elements, students can better prepare for interactions with peers, faculty, and the academic landscape as a whole.

Academic Affairs

• • “Messages from Future You”: In this workshop, attendees will hear firsthand experiences from previous LEAPers successfully navigating their college journeys. These program alumni will share pivotal moments that shaped their strategies for success, including study techniques, time management skills, and balancing social life with academic responsibilities. Students will have the chance to engage in a Q&A session, allowing them to inquire about specific challenges and gain insights that can aid in their own experiences. This peer-to-peer interaction will help bridge the gap between theory and practice and empower students to make informed decisions about their college paths.

Career Readiness Workshops

• • “Career Exploration”: Embark on a fun, interactive journey of discovery with our Digital Career Scavenger Hunt! Navigate O*NET Online, explore exciting careers, decode job details, hone research skills, and enhance critical thinking. Reflect on your aspirations while gaining insights into future careers and industry trends.


• • “Team Building: Project Entrepreneur”: In this workshop students will practice their team building skills! They will use this exercise to learn about ways they can build and market their own fitness center to be successful entrepreneurs. With a little creativity, we can have some friendly competition, all while learning how to be effective team players.

Counseling and Wellness Center

• • "Balancing Act: Thriving from the Start": Starting college is an exciting new chapter, but it can also come with its challenges. The "Balancing Act: Thriving from the Start" workshop is designed to help students establish a strong foundation for wellness as they begin their academic journey. This workshop will cover various topics, including navigating daily transitions, practicing mindfulness techniques, and enhancing time management skills. Through interactive activities and guided reflections, students will discover practical strategies for managing stress, achieving a healthy school-life balance, and developing sustainable self-care routines. Participants will leave equipped with valuable resources, effective strategies, and the confidence to tackle academic challenges while prioritizing their mental and physical health.

Financial Literacy Workshops

• • “Join the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for an in-person tutorial of iGrad”: iGrad is an online financial wellness tool you get access to as an GovState student to help you succeed in college and in life. It answers questions you may not know you should have and the ones you’ve been curious about for a while, like how to manage your money, create a plan to remain (or become) financially healthy, and be prepared for future budgeting, saving and earning potential. Whether you’re a financial expert or still learning how to budget, iGrad can help. They offer a variety of resources to help you learn in a way that works for you.

Latinx Resource Center

• • “Culture and Community”: This workshop hosted by the Latinx Resource Center explores the power of community, the importance of cultural identity/awareness, and the ways that these connections support student success. The session is designed for students of all backgrounds and introduces the resources offered by the Center. Whether you’re interested in learning how to build stronger relationships on campus or simply want to find out more about how the Latinx Resource Center can help you in your college journey, join us for this interactive session.

Library Resources

• • Discovering Library Resources: This one-hour session will present GovState and I-Share libraries’ resources and teach students how to perform searches to find books, journal articles, electronic resources, writing style guides, etc.


• • Facilitator Name and Email: Michel Nguessan (mnguessan@govst.edu) and Cari Didion (cdidion@govst.edu).

To learn more about Jaguar LEAP, attend one of our information sessions!

Please feel free to contact Noelle Larsen at nlarsen@govst.edu for more information and details.

Yes! Whether you are looking to get a jump-start on your college credits, meet your new classmates, or spend a fun-filled summer on campus, Jaguar LEAP is right for you.

Additionally, students who submit their enrollment deposit of $50 by May 1st will receive a $200 Book Scholarship to be used towards books for their Fall semester.

The only cost to participate in LEAP is the $50 GovState enrollment deposit, which is applied to your fall tuition and fees when you complete the program.

Students who choose to live on campus will also pay a $25 housing application fee and a $100 housing deposit/prepayment in advance. Additionally, the cost of housing will depend on the type of room you select for the fall semester. Feel free to contact Housing for details about room options and costs.

First, apply for free to GovState as an entering freshman student: apply.govst.edu/apply. Once you have been admitted, the application for Jaguar LEAP will be available in your application portal.

Our staff will review your application and make sure you are eligible. If any items of the application are missing, they will contact you with instructions. Once your application is complete, you will receive a welcome to Jaguar LEAP message with next steps including completing the ROAR orientation and meeting with your advisor.

Yes. Students involved in TRiO are welcome and encouraged to participate in the LEAP program.

Yes. Please talk to your advisor about how your dual credit counts towards your degree requirements.

No. Living on campus is not required, but it is highly encouraged, especially if you plan to live on campus in the fall semester. The benefit of living on campus during LEAP is that it allows you to meet other new students and make friends before the fall semester begins.

You will be assigned to a room based on the type of room you request for the fall semester. You can see the different styles available online at: https://www.govst.edu/housing/

LEAP students are provided with a modest meal plan on their OneCard for the immersion program and are available to use at the GovState cafe or the C-Store in Prairie Place. This plan can be used to purchase lunches, breakfasts, snacks, coffee, etc. Students who choose to live in Prairie Place can select additional meal plan options.

Yes. Governors State ranks as one of the safest public university campuses in Illinois. Learn more about how we keep the campus safe- https://www.govst.edu/campus-safety.

Questions about housing - Residence Life

• • Website: https://www.govst.edu/housing/
• • Email: housing@govst.edu

Questions about campus life - New Student Programs

• • Website: https://www.govst.edu/Academics/Services_and_Resources/Academic_Resource_Center/New_Student_Programs/
• • Email: nsp@govst.edu

Questions about access services for students with disabilities - ASSD

• • Website: https://www.govst.edu/disability-services/
• • Email: ASSD@govst.edu

Questions about financial aid – Financial Aid

• • Website: https://www.govst.edu/financial-aid/
• • Email: faid@govst.edu

Please contact New Student Programs at nsp@govst.edu to discuss your options.