At a Glance: March 9, 2026
Announcements
Spring 2 Soft Launch Starts This Week
Spring 2 courses that begin on Wednesday, March 18 will soft launch on Wednesday, March 11. Soft launch allows you to view your registered classes in both Canvas and Coursera a week ahead, giving you the chance to review your course syllabi and expectations before the official start date. Registering at least two weeks before the course start date ensures access to your course during the soft-launch period.
Update Your Grouping Preference Form
At the beginning of each 8-week session, you should update your availability for your course groups on the Grouping Preference Form. The grouping preference tool translates your time preferences into UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) so you can be grouped in your courses with individuals with similar availability around the globe. Take a moment today to finalize your availability!
Summer 2026 Course Support Application Now Open
The Gies iDegrees course support application for the position of Synchronous Course Assistant, Grader, and Plagiarism Reviewer for Summer 2026 is now open. If you are interested in being considered for a position that will begin in Summer, please complete the Course Support Application no later than Friday, March 20 at 11:59 pm CT. The application will provide job descriptions for each role. Please read the requirements of each role to determine eligibility.
Application Process:
- The application process only requires submitting the 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 at eforbes2@illinois.edu.
Transform Healthcare: Apply Today to the Carle Capstone Project
Applications are due today for the 2026-2027 Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CIMED) Capstone Project—an unparalleled opportunity for iMBA learners to collaborate across disciplines and address real-world healthcare challenges. This year-long experiential learning course focuses on solving real healthcare challenges by developing innovative, marketable products. iMBA learners who participate in the Carle Capstone project will fulfill both of their specialization capstone requirements. Please visit our Carle Capstone calendar page and review the full details on the project, eligibility requirements, application link, and key deadlines. Learners are encouraged to apply by today, March 9, at 11:59 pm CT.
Gies Events
Inclusion and Empowerment for the LGBTQ+ Community
Tuesday, March 24 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm CT
The Gies Business Office of Access and Community is honored to host Yolanda Williams-Goliday, PhD, director of the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, on Tuesday, March 24 from 2:00–3:00 pm CT in the Deloitte Auditorium and on Zoom. This hybrid session will focus on fostering a more inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and will provide insights on how we as a College can collectively support and advocate for the community. This event is open to all Gies Business learners, faculty, and staff. You may attend in person or online. Please register for the LGBTQ+ Inclusion session to attend and receive the Zoom link.
LGBTQ+ Community and Inclusion Registration
First Generation Coffee Chat
Thursday, March 26 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm CT
We invite first-generation graduate learners—those who are the first in their family to pursue a graduate degree—to grab a coffee or tea and join our recruitment team, along with your fellow current learners who are also first-generation graduate learners, for a coffee chat. This session will explore the challenges faced by first-generation learners and highlight strategies for success in graduate education. You'll also learn about the support services available and gain insight into what it’s like to be a first-generation learner in Gies Online programs. Bring your questions—we look forward to connecting with you!
First Generation Coffee Chat Registration
Gies News
Aric Rindfleisch Shaping Digital Marketing Education
For more than three decades, Gies College of Business professor Aric Rindfleisch, who teaches MBA 545: Marketing in Our New Digital World, has been a defining voice in digital marketing education, helping shape how learners around the world understand technology, marketing, and the human side of business. Read about Rindfleisch’s contributions here.
Study: How Self-Affirmation Helps Auditors Use AI-Supported Advice
To examine how well professional auditors incorporate AI-supported advice in their decision-making, Gies Business faculty Mark Peecher, who teaches ACCY 504: Auditing, and Sebastian Stirnkorb, Gies Business PhD student Isaac Yamoah, and coauthor Christian Pietsch (Erasmus University Rotterdam) studied how experienced audit professionals react when AI is introduced into their workflow. Read more about their research 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.
2026 - 2027 Carle Capstone Project Application Due
Monday, March 9Spring 1 Courses End
Tuesday, March 10Spring Specialization Capstones Begin
Wednesday, March 11Spring 2 Soft Launch
Wednesday, March 11Women in Business: Connect, Empower, Succeed
Thursday, March 12In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.