At a Glance: March 30, 2026
Announcements
Global Challenges Course Updates
Starting in 2027, MBA 547 Global Marketing and MBA 549 Multiculturalism in Management and the Marketplace course schedules will shift. These courses are part of the Global Challenges Focus Area Specialization and Graduate Certificate.
- MBA 547: Global Marketing will move from its current summer offering to Fall 1 beginning in Fall 2027. The final summer offering will be in Summer 2026.
- MBA 549: Multiculturalism in Management and the Marketplace will shift from Fall 1 to the summer term starting in Summer 2027. Its final Fall 1 offering will be Fall 2026.
You can view a graphic of these changes here. If you need assistance updating your course schedule in light of these changes, connect with a Student and Academic Success Specialist in Express Advising or through i-support@illinois.edu.
Summer and Fall 2026 Registration Time Tickets Available to View
Starting today, Monday, March 30, you can view your Summer and Fall 2026 registration time tickets on Student Self-Service and mark that date in your calendar. Begin preparing for registration by locating your specific time-ticket date, and using your program's course offering guide to view the course dates and live session information. You can register for both the Summer and Fall semesters at the same time. Tuition for fall courses will not be charged until the beginning of the Fall semester. Some courses will reach capacity, so we recommend that you register as soon as your time ticket opens. While you are waiting this is a great time to connect with a Student & Academic Success Specialist to prepare for registration.
Deadline to Apply to the May 2026 Degree List
Learners in their final semester of their program this spring must submit their application for graduation by Sunday, April 5. Submitting this application will add your name to the May 2026 degree list, allowing you to receive your diploma and have your degree awarded. Please note that this application does not register you for the convocation ceremony, which is optional and requires its own registration process.
Graduate Student Appreciation Week: Daily Activities Just for You
We’re excited to celebrate Graduate Appreciation Week from April 6-10 with a series of special events designed to recognize and appreciate you! Take a well-deserved break, connect with your peers, and join us for a week of professional development, fun, and celebration.
Throughout the week, we will have our virtual bulletin board, where you’ll have the chance to win prizes, and virtual professional development events. For our local online learners, there’s also the Champaign-Urbana baseball tailgate and meet up and an opportunity for professional headshots. Visit our Graduate Student Appreciation Week Event Calendar page for the full list of events and activities.
We want to highlight two virtual professional development events happening during the week.
Wednesday, April 8
Career Pivot Strategies with Jessica Virtuoso (MBA '20), senior consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers |12:00 - 12:45 pm CT
- Hosted by a Gies Alum
- Learn more about career pivot strategies and the use of AI in your pivot.
- Register Here: Career Pivot Strategies with Alumna Jessica Virtuoso (MBA '20)
Thursday, April 9
Navigating Uncertainty in Your Career | 4:00 - 5:00 pm CT
- Hosted by the Graduate College
- This hands-on workshop focuses on developing perspectives and plans in the face of career uncertainty.
- Register Here: Navigating Uncertainty in Your Career Workshop
Beta Gamma Sigma Members: Request Your Honor Cords for May Convocation
Are you an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma planning to participate in the May 2026 Convocation Ceremony? Make sure to complete the request form by Wednesday, April 15 to receive your honor cords to wear with your regalia during the ceremony. You will need your member number to complete the request form. Learners can find this information by logging in to the membership portal at betagammasigma.org.
Important Reminder: To streamline the graduation process, cords will be distributed exclusively at the Pre-Ceremony Open House event. They will not be available at the ceremony or via mail, so please plan to join us at the Open House to collect yours!
Gies Events
Champaign - Urbana Baseball Meet Up
Friday, April 10 | 5:30 pm CT
Join Gies Graduate Programs in celebrating Graduate Student Appreciation Week (April 6 - 10) with a baseball game and tailgate at Illinois Field (601 E. Kirby Avenue Champaign, IL) as Illinois takes on the University of New Orleans at 6:00 pm. Starting at 5:30 pm, meet us on the tailgate patios behind the outfield wall for food, refreshments, and a chance to connect with fellow graduate students before and during the game. Admission is free! Please note that seating is not provided on the tailgate patios, so you are welcome to bring a lawn chair if you would like to sit during the event. Please register by Wednesday, April 8. We look forward to celebrating with you and connecting at the ballpark!
Champaign - Urbana Meet Up Registration
Seattle Meet Up
Wednesday, April 15 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm PT
Gies Business is looking forward to providing an opportunity for our iDegree learners and alumni in the Seattle area to gather for a meet up! Join your fellow learners and alumni for an evening of networking and connecting. The event will take place at Elliot's Oyster House (1201 Alaskan Way, Pier 56 Seattle, WA 98101).Please register by Wednesday, April 8. We look forward to seeing you there.
Coffee and Conversations With Gies Online Women
Thursday, April 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT
Join us for an informal and engaging discussion featuring women in the Gies Online community who will share their experiences in business school and beyond. This conversation will highlight how the Gies community supports women in achieving their goals while navigating graduate education and professional growth.
Participants will have the opportunity to hear from fellow learners about building confidence, developing leadership skills, and balancing career and personal commitments while pursuing a graduate degree. If you’re interested in connecting with other women in the Gies community, we hope you’ll join us for the conversation.
Register for Coffee and Conversations
Chicago Meet Up
Tuesday, April 28 | 6:00 - 8:30 pm CT
Gies Business is looking forward to providing an opportunity for our iDegree learners and alumni in the Chicago, IL area to gather for a Meet Up! Join Senior Associate Director of iDegrees, Heather Aldridge; Senior Student and Academic Success Specialists, Micaela Childress and Erica Burks; your fellow learners for an evening of networking and connecting. The event will take place at Puttery (932 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607). Please register by Tuesday, April 21. Light food and refreshments will be provided as well as one round of mini golf. We look forward to connecting with you!
Gies News
Gies Ranked #4 Public Business School by Poets&Quants
Gies College of Business is once again ranked as a Top 5 public undergraduate business program in the nation, according to the latest rankings released by Poets&Quants, the preeminent source for information on undergraduate and graduate business education. Gies Business is ranked #4 among public business schools and #15 overall. For this ranking, Poets&Quants considers factors such as admissions standards, the college experience, and career outcomes. Read more about the ranking here.
Podcast: The Pollution Shell Game - Why Divestment Doesn’t Always Leave the Planet Greener
In an age where companies are eager to prove their environmental credibility, some are divesting "dirty assets" like plants that produce pollution. But what if that celebrated practice isn't actually addressing environmental harms? Where does industrial pollution go when companies divest? In this episode of Research Reverb, Gies Business Professor Qiping Xu reveals the "cosmetic redrawing" of corporate boundaries and why divestment sometimes fails the planet. Listen to the podcast 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.
Rosemont, IL iConnect
Tuesday, March 31
Learn How to Get Started With GiesConnect
Wednesday, April 1
Last Day to Add an Embedded Certificate
Friday, April 3
Deadline to Apply to Graduate via Self-Service
Sunday, April 5
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.