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.

Your college journey starts with taking the Jaguar LEAP. Get a jumpstart on your college experience, live on-campus, and get to know fellow Jaguars.

• • Meet other new students and make friends before the fall semester begins.
• • Get to know faculty, staff, and peer leaders who will help you succeed at Governors State.
• • Learn about campus resources and how to get around before your first day of classes.

During Jaguar LEAP, 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
• • Robotics Team
• • Forensics Team

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)
• ‣ Can pick between:
• • PSYC - 1101 Principles of Psychology
• • IFDI - 1101 Film Appreciation
• • HIST - 2710 World History Since 1500
• • LEAP 0100: Prepare for Success Workshops (Non-Credit)

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.

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 GSU 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.

Library Resources

• • Discovering Library Resources: This one-hour session will present GSU 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.

The only cost to you is your deposit to GovState: a total of $175 that includes the $50 enrollment deposit, the $25 housing application fee and the $100 deposit/prepayment for housing.

Plus, your deposit counts toward your fall tuition & fees if you complete the program.

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 online 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.

Yes, and it is encouraged! Staying on-campus is a great way to get to know people, and we will be offering programming and events on the weekends as well.

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/

While staying in the residence hall, you’ll be able to utilize the on-campus GovState cafe, the C-Store in Prairie Place, or you have access to a kitchen to make your own food. Additionally, as part of the summer bridge program, some meals will be provided by different campus organizations.

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.