At a Glance: September 14, 2026
Announcements
MOOC Completion Policy
Remember to complete all MOOC activities and assignments by the last day of Module 8 and earn your MOOC certificate by the deadline listed in your course syllabus.
Effective Fall 2026: Learners who do not earn their MOOC certificate by the deadline will receive a 20% reduction in their final course grade.
To successfully complete your MOOC, be sure to:
- Meet the passing threshold for all quizzes and assignments.
- Complete required peer reviews by the deadline.
- Confirm that your peer-graded assignments have been reviewed.
MOOC completion is automatically updated in Canvas within 48 hours of earning your certificate. You can verify your certificate through Accomplishments in your Illinois Coursera profile.
For full details, review the Gies Online Graduate Programs Handbook: Coursera Linking and MOOC Completion.
Limited Advising Services This Week
Limited academic advising services will be available this week due to iConverge 2026.
Express Advising schedule adjustments this week:
- Monday, September 14: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. CT
- Tuesday, September 15: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. CT
- Wednesday, September 16: Express Advising Cancelled
- Thursday, September 17: Express Advising Cancelled
- Friday, September 18: Express Advising Cancelled
To reach the Student and Academic Success Team, please email i-support@illinois.edu or schedule an appointment with a specialist.
New Coursera "Instructional Design and Digital Learning Strategy"
Instructional Design and Digital Learning Strategy, offered through Gies College of Business and the College of Education as a non-credit specialization through Coursera, develops skills for designing inclusive digital learning experiences, evaluating learning technologies, and planning projects. The four-course series features Professor Ismail Kirci of Gies College of Business teaching "Project Initiation and Planning." Please note: As a University of Illinois student, you have free access to Illinois MOOCs.
Gies Events
Project Management Monthly Meet Up
Tuesday, September 15 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT | GiesConnect Live Event
Join fellow Gies learners and alumni for our next Project Management Monthly Meetup. This event will be moderated by current iMBA leaner Sara Wahabzada, Founder & Executive Director of BanooHealth.
Explore practical ways to build project management systems for early-stage nonprofits and startups—from setting goals and assigning ownership to tracking progress, establishing KPIs, and choosing the right tools. Sara will share real-world lessons from her own experience before opening the conversation for an interactive discussion and Q&A.
Interested in joining? Visit the Project Management channel in GiesConnect for event details and to register!
Project Management Registration
LinkedIn Live with Gies Online
Thursday, September 24 | 12:00 pm CT
Do you know someone interested in Gies Online but still has questions about our credentials? Share this event and invite them to learn more directly from our students and recruitment staff! The event will provide an overview of the available credentials through Gies Graduate Programs, feature insights from current ambassadors, and include a Q&A session. We would love to connect with anyone you know who might be interested.
Founders Week 2026
Thursday, October 1 | 11:45 am - 2:15 pm CT | BIF Atrium and Deloitte Auditorium
Registration is open for Founders Week 2026, happening September 30–October 3 on the Illinois campus. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to explore entrepreneurship through panel discussions, a pitch competition, networking opportunities, and a founders showcase featuring innovations from faculty and student research labs.
As part of the celebration, the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship in Gies College of Business will host The Science & Practice of Pitching on Thursday, October 1, from 11:45 am–2:15 pm. The event includes
- 11:45 am –12:45pm lunch in the BIF Atrium
- 1:00–2:15 pm a panel in the Deloitte Auditorium. Hear from entrepreneurs, venture investors, and entrepreneurship researchers about crafting effective pitches, capturing investor attention, and raising capital.
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!
Gies News
Bucheli Wins Richard M. Hodgetts Award for Work in Management History
Gies College of Business Professor of MBA 548: Global Strategy, Marcelo Bucheli has been named the 2026 recipient of the Richard M. Hodgetts Award from the Academy of Management’s Management History Division. The award recognizes scholars for significant contributions to management history through scholarship, teaching, and service. Bucheli’s research focuses on the political strategies of multinational corporations and the use of historical methods in management studies. Learn more about Bucheli and his award-winning research.
PODCAST: Building a Mission-Driven Culture of Innovation
Dean Brooke Elliott joined the Higher Ed Geek podcast to discuss how a mission-driven culture, intentional innovation, and a commitment to expanding access have helped Gies grow its impact while preparing students for an increasingly dynamic workforce. 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.
Project Management Monthly Meet Up
Tuesday, September 15
iConverge 2026
Thursday, September 17 - Saturday, September 19
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.