At a Glance: June 15, 2026
Announcements
Schedule an Advising Meeting with a Specialist
Have any questions about your degree program? Now is a great time to meet with a specialist to prepare for Fall 2026! The Student and Academic Success Specialists provide academic advising and support for all students in Gies Online Programs. Whether you need assistance with registration, course selections, dropping or withdrawing from classes, degree planning, or accessing resources available to you - our team is here to help! We offer 25-minute one-on-one Advising Appointments and 15-minute one-on-one Express Advising sessions (first-come, first-serve). You can also email i-support@illinois.edu at any time, with any question. We are here for you!
University Closed: Juneteenth
The University will be closed on Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, a US federal holiday commemorating African American emancipation and the end of slavery in the United States. 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 Monday, June 22 when the University reopens.
Apply to Be a Growth Coach for BUS 401
The application deadline has been extended to be a Growth Coach! The Cohort Experience Program is hiring Growth Coaches for the upcoming academic year. Growth Coaches facilitate small weekly discussion groups for undergraduate seniors enrolled in BUS 401. This role is ideal for graduate learners interested in teaching, coaching, mentoring, or student development. Growth Coaches receive training, ongoing support, and paid professional experience. We seek reliable, reflective applicants who enjoy facilitating discussion-based work with undergraduate students. Application is due this Sunday, June 21. To learn more about the position and apply, visit the Growth Coach Application Website.
2026 Prospanica Conference and Career Expo
The Prospanica Conference & Career Expo will take place October 6 - 9, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. This year’s theme, Imagine Más, highlights opportunities to explore career paths, build networks, and engage in bold conversations about inclusive leadership. With professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and one of the largest career expos for Hispanic business professionals, this event is designed to help you launch your career and make meaningful connections. Visit the Prospanica conference web page for registration and detailed information. If you have questions about the conference, please contact the event organizers.
Gies Events
Gies First-Generation Coffee Chat
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 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!
Gies News
Gies Business Announces First Class of AI Faculty Fellows
Gies Business announced that more than a dozen faculty members have been selected for the inaugural AI Faculty Fellows program, which explores how AI can enhance learning, advance research, and prepare students for an evolving workforce. Read about this more about this program here.
Tariffs Could Erase Cannabis Tax Relief Gains (Op-Ed)
Justin Leiby, professor of accountancy, had his article about cost pressures in the cannabis industry published by Marijuana Moment, an industry newsletter with 65,000 subscribers and 1 million monthly readers. The piece deconstructs how much of each dollar of revenue is consumed by COGS (costs of goods sold,) SG&A (selling, general, and administrative expenses), taxes, tariffs, etc.
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.
First-Generation Learner Coffee Chat
Monday, June 17
University Closed- Juneteenth
Friday, June 19
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.