At a Glance: October 5, 2026
Announcements
Fall 2 Soft Launch Starts This Week
Fall 2 courses that begin on Wednesday, October 14 will soft launch on Wednesday, October 7. 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.
Grouping Preference Form
At the beginning of each 8-week session, you should update your availability for your course groups on the Grouping Preference Survey. 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!
Beta Gamma Sigma Members Attending December Convocation
Are you an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma planning to participate in the December 2026 Convocation Ceremony? Make sure to complete the request form by Friday, December 4 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!
Celebrating 10 Years of Gies Business Online Education
As we celebrate 10 years of online education at Gies Business, we invite you to watch the iMBA,™ 10th Anniversary Celebration and hear from Gies alum John Walden, a pioneer in digital retailing with a 35-year career leading growth and transformational change across consumer businesses in the US and UK. John shared insights on emerging technologies, leading transformation, learning from setbacks, and preparing teams for AI-driven change.
Thank you again for being part of our iDegrees community and helping shape the next chapter of online education at Gies Business.
Apply Now for the Spring 2027 Virtual Immersion
We are excited to announce that the application for the Spring 2027 South Korea Virtual Immersion is now open! This immersion format is virtual providing greater flexibility in both cost and scheduling. As an iDegree learner, you will consult with a business from the host country, explore local business practices and culture, and connect with fellow iDegree learners from around the world. Visit our calendar page for full details on the Spring 2027 Virtual immersion, including the application, deadlines, and schedule.
Gies Events
Gies First Generation Learner Coffee Chat
Wednesday, October 7 | 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!
First Generation Learner Coffee Chat Registration
Celebrating National Coming Out Day
Thursday, October 8 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Lincoln International Atrium (BIF)
For Learners located in the Champaign-Urbana area join us for a special event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. We’ll have rainbow donuts, resources for support, Pride swag, a pumpkin craft activity, and more. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome. The celebration will be hosted by Pride at Gies (undergrad student group), LGBTQ+ and Allies at Gies (faculty/staff group), and the Office of Access and Community.
Campus Walk for Suicide Awareness
Sunday, October 11 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm | Anniversary Plaza at the Illini Union
The University of Illinois Campus Walk for Suicide Awareness is an organized movement to raise awareness for those affected by suicide and mental struggles. The 2026 Campus Walk is aimed to send the message that suicide is preventable and no student, faculty, or staff member on this campus is alone. We would like to invite all students, faculty, staff, and community members to attend. Your support is monumental. Together we can continue the conversation about mental health and find the light in the darkness.
Austin Meet-Up
Tuesday, October 13 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm CT | Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill
We would like to invite you to join us for a networking reception during the Austin Immersion Program. This event offers a great opportunity to connect with local Gies students and alumni, as well as immersion participants, faculty, and staff. Please register by Friday, October 9. Light food and refreshments will be provided. We look forward to connecting with you!
Live in Texas? Join the Texas Regional Channel in GiesConnect to connect with your peers, chat, and attend the monthly virtual mixers. The program offers a monthly virtual regional mixer for Texas the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm CT.
San Antonio Meet-Up
Tuesday, October 20 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm CT | 1 Watson Rooftop
We would like to invite you to join us for a networking reception during the Austin Immersion Program. This event offers a great opportunity to connect with local Gies students and alumni, as well as immersion participants, faculty, and staff. Please register by Friday, October 16. Light food and refreshments will be provided. We look forward to connecting with you!
Live in Texas? Join the Texas Regional Channel in GiesConnect to connect with your peers, chat, and attend the monthly virtual mixers. The program offers a monthly virtual regional mixer for Texas the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm CT.
San Antonio Meet-Up Registration
Ready, Set, Graduate: A Webinar for Program Completion
Tuesday, October 20 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm CT
Getting closer to graduation? Join the Student and Academic Success team for Ready, Set, Graduate: A Webinar for Program Completion to prepare for your next steps toward finishing your program, preparing for graduation, and the transition to alumni. Registration is required and will stay open until the end of the event. All registrants will receive an email with a recording of the webinar to watch at your convenience.
Ready, Set, Graduate Webinar Registration
Join Our Regional Networking Mixers!
Connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships with fellow iDegrees learners, program alumni, and staff right in your local area. We host monthly virtual mixers tailored across 13 different regions in GiesConnect to help you expand your professional and personal network.
To stay in the loop on upcoming event dates and regional updates, head over to The Hub in GiesConnect and join the regional discussion channel closest to your location today!
Bay Area iConnect
Saturday, December 12 | 4:00 - 8:00 pm CT | Bayview Dining Room
Join us for an evening of dinner, networking, and updates from Gies. The event will include a formal program, and we’ll share the full agenda closer to the event once all speakers are confirmed. Please Register by November 23.
Bay Area iConnect Registration
Gies News
Expert Panel Shares Insights on Leadership
More than 1,000 students, faculty, and staff gathered for “Leading with Purpose,” a panel featuring University of Illinois leaders Larry Gies (ACCY ’88), Shauna Green, Sam Skinner (ACCY ’60), and Josh Whitman (FIN ’01, LAW ’08). Moderated by Gies Dean Brooke Elliott, the panel explored leadership, purpose, leading under pressure, navigating change, and creating a winning culture. Panelists emphasized the importance of preparation, caring for people, making decisions with purpose, and learning from failure. Read full article 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.
Fall 1 Courses End
Tuesday, October 6
iMBA, iMSM, Non-Accounting Electives, Management Certificates
iMBA Fall Specialization Capstones
Wednesday October 7 - Tuesday October 20
Fall 2 Soft Launch
Wednesday, October 7
iMBA, iMSM, Non-Accounting Electives, Management Certificates
First Generation Learner Coffee Chat
Wednesday, October 7
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.