At a Glance: January 12, 2025
Announcements
FIN 570 and BDI 577 MOOCs Launch
We are excited to share the launch of the updated MOOCs 1 and 2 for FIN 570: Corporate Finance and BDI 577: Disruption and Emerging Technologies. If you’ve already completed a previous version and earned a certificate, it will still count toward your for-credit course. However, we highly encourage you to review the revised materials, as updated content will be reflected in the coursework. Access the new MOOCs today!
FIN 570: Corporate Finance
MOOC 1: Corporate Finance I: Measuring and Promoting Value Creation
MOOC 2: Corporate Finance II: Financing Investments and Managing Risk
BDI 577: Disruption and Emerging Technologies
MOOC 1: Emerging Technology, Disruption, and AI
MOOC 2: Blockchains, Tokens, and The Decentralized Future
Spring 1 Courses Begin
The Spring 1 term is officially starting this week! Spring 1 courses begin on Wednesday, January 14. Please be sure to check your course start and end dates for the Spring 1 term as some course start dates may vary. Online Programs utilizes dual learning platforms with Canvas and Coursera. Make sure to access your course in both platforms to be successful.
Drop and Withdrawal Refund Guides
For your convenience, the Office of the Registrar has created course refund guides that outline the specific drop dates and withdrawal dates for each course. Go to the current semester and scroll down to “non-standard courses” and search by course number.
Please note that there are two separate refund guides for drops and withdrawals and you can refer to our Dropping Courses and Refunds page about the difference between a drop, withdrawal, and cancellation. As an additional resource, our event calendar posts the academic drop deadlines by course start date.
University Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
The University will be closed on Monday, January 19 to celebrate the life and achievements of US Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr and to honor his legacy and those in the movement by volunteering to improve your communities. Please refer to your course syllabi for assignment deadlines and live session schedules. University offices will be closed, and responses via email will be delayed during this time. We look forward to interacting with you on Tuesday, January 20 when the University reopens.
Seeking Volunteers for the Health Innovators Project
The Gies College of Business has a strategic partnership with the Illinois Carle College of Medicine. One of their collaborative programs, Capstone Innovations, brings together a medical student, an engineering student, and a business student to identify healthcare needs and design innovative products or processes to address them.
We are seeking iMBA learners who reside within the US to volunteer as consultants to support one of the Capstone Innovation teams. Volunteers will assist by helping define the project scope, conducting research and analysis, and providing data-driven recommendations. These projects will kick off toward the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester and last approximately eight weeks. This is an optional experience and capstone credit is not awarded for volunteers.
Interested? The form to sign up as a volunteer will remain open until 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, January 15.
Updated Express Advising Hours
We are excited to announce that Express Advising will now be offered daily, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST. These 15-minute, virtual advising sessions (camera not required) are intended to support you with quick questions. In addition to our expanded express advising hours, we have also implemented the Queue, a virtual waiting line, to bring transparency with wait times. You can find detailed instructions and our updated link to join Express Advising on our Advising and Planning website..
Please note: The Queue allows you to see how many learners are ahead of you at that time. You still need to click the Zoom link listed in order to put yourself in the waiting room so a Specialist can assist you with your questions.
Your Input Requested: AI and Academic Integrity Survey
The Gies Academic Integrity and AI Use Task Force invites learners to share feedback on the use of generative AI (GenAI) in Gies courses. Please complete this anonymous survey to help improve clarity, fairness, and learning. Your input will inform future guidance, resources, and policy recommendations. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Spring 2 2026 Course Support Applications Close This Week
The Gies iDegrees course support application for the position of Synchronous Course Assistant (SCA) and Plagiarism Reviewer (PR) for Spring 2 2026 is available now. If you are interested in being considered for a position that will begin in Spring 2, please complete the Course Support Application no later than Friday, January 16 at 11:45 pm CT. The application will provide job descriptions for each role. Please read the requirements of each role to determine eligibility.
Application Process:
- Gies iDegrees Course Support Application form.
- • Even if you are currently working with us, you need to apply each term, so please make sure you apply before the deadline.
- • Those selected for a position will be notified via email.
- • Due to the volume of applications, late submissions will not be accepted.
- • If you work on a course, you will not be eligible to take it for credit as a student later.
If you have any questions about the application, please email Emily Forbes..
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 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 News
Gies Business Provides MBA Alum the Power to Jumpstart Energy Systems Company
A native of Costa Rica, Gies graduate (December ‘25) Oscar Azofeifa moved to the United States, hoping to become an entrepreneur. After playing a big role in the early stages of a startup, Azofeifa set out to start his own company from scratch. Over the past two years, he has founded PowerBox Technology, a company that develops and optimizes energy systems for medium-sized factories, offices, and data centers. Read more about Azofeifa’s company here.
Rindfleisch Named American Marketing Association Fellow
Aric Rindfleisch, John M. Jones Professor of Marketing at Gies College of Business and executive director of the Illinois MakerLab, has been selected as a 2026 Fellow of the American Marketing Association (AMA). Selection as a fellow of the AMA is a rare honor recognizing faculty who have made significant and sustained contributions to marketing theory and practice. Read more about his contributions here.
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.
Wednesday, January 14
Spring 1 Last Day to Add a Course (January 14 Start)
Wednesday, January 14
Wednesday, January 14
Thursday, January 15
Spring 1 Drop Deadline for 100% Refund MBA 564 A
Friday, January 16
Champaign-Urbana iConnect
Friday, January 16Additional Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
Spring 1 Drop Deadline for 100% Refund (January 14 Start)
Monday, January 19
University Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 19
Spring 1 Drop Deadline for 100% Refund (ACE 546)
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.