At a Glance: December 15, 2025
Announcements
Express Advising Schedule on December 19
There will be a modified Express Advising schedule the week of December 15 due to staff participation in the December iDegree Convocation Ceremony and related events. Express Advising will be cancelled on Friday, December 19. To reach our Student and Academic Success Team during this time, please email us at i-support@illinois.edu
University Closed: Winter Break
The University will be closed Wednesday, December 24-Thursday, January 1 for Winter Break. University offices will be closed, and responses via email will be limited during this time. We look forward to interacting with you on Friday, January 2 when the University reopens.
We will have a modified Express Advising schedule for the week of December 22. On Monday, December 22 Express Advising will be held as usual. Wednesday and Friday Express Advising will not be held. This will also be the last At-a-Glance Newsletter for the year. The weekly schedule will resume on Monday, January 5.
Newly Expanded Express Advising Hours
Effective January 2, Management Express Advising will expand its availability to Monday through Friday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Our website will also be updated with new instructions on how to access Express Advising. We look forward to supporting you in the spring semester!
Transform Ideas to Impact with Cozad New Venture Challenge 2026!
Have a great idea for a product or startup? Consider participating in the Cozad New Venture Challenge 2026 , sponsored by The Grainger College of Engineering and the Gies College of Business. Cozad helps you advance that idea with mentoring, funding, and developing the skills you need to succeed. At the end, you can pitch your innovative startup at Demo Day in April and compete for a share of $550,000 in funding. This year, Gies students have access to the Business & Engineering Partnership Prize (up to $25,000) as well as several other specialty specialty prizes.
This experience is offered to all University of Illinois students, in-person or online. The Cozad New Venture Challenge 2026 is an optional opportunity. No specialization capstone or credit hours will be offered. All iDegree learners are welcome to participate in the experience, but on-campus participation will be required. For additional questions, please review the FAQ or contact Stephanie Faraci. Register by February 1, 2026
Gies Events
Cape Town, South Africa Meet Up
Friday, January 9 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm SAST
Gies Business is looking forward to providing an opportunity for our iDegree learners and alumni in the Cape Town, South Africa area to gather for a meet up! Join Professor Steve Raquel and your fellow learners for an evening of networking and connecting. The event will take place at Grand Africa Cafe (1 Haul Road, V&A Waterfront, Granger Bay, Cape Town). Please register by Friday, January 2. Light food and refreshments will be provided. We look forward to connecting with you!
Register for the Cape Town Meet Up
Champaign-Urbana iConnect
Friday, January 16 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm CT
Gies Business is looking forward to providing an opportunity for our iDegree learners and alumni in the Champaign-Urbana area to gather for an iConnect! Join your fellow learners for an evening of networking and connecting. The event will take place at Papa Del’s (1201 S Neil Street Champaign, IL). Please register by Friday, January 9. Light food and refreshments will be provided. We look forward to connecting with you!
Register for the Champaign-Urbana iConnect
Gies News
Auditors Leveraging AI in Productivity and Fraud Detection Still Need Human Validation
“Technology is a double-edged sword,” says Andrea Rozario, assistant professor of accountancy at Gies College of Business. Rozario, who studies artificial intelligence as it relates to auditing, is heavily versed in data analytics. She shares her expertise in the classroom and with her academic peers through research, including a recent study on artificial intelligence regulation in investing. In this article, Rozario talks more about the pros and cons of Ai in auditing
This Week at Gies
Use the Event Calendar for information on upcoming events, such as iConverge and iDegree Convocation, as well as academic dates and deadlines for the semester. Click event titles below for details on the events happening this week.
Tuesday, December 16
December 2025 Convocation Events
Friday, December 19
End of the Year Events
Fall Semester Grades Visible in Self-Service
Wednesday, December 24
University Closed: Winter Break
Wednesday, December 24 - Thursday, January 1
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.