At a Glance: September 28, 2026
Announcements
December 2026 Convocation Event Registration
Registration for the December 2026 Gies Convocation Ceremony is open now! Join us for a pre-ceremony celebration and open house where you and your guests can socialize, take photos, and enjoy refreshments. Afterward, you'll proceed to the main convocation ceremony. Each event requires a separate registration form. The deadline to register is December 4. You can review the Gies Convocation Ceremony website for more details.
December 2026 iDegree Open House
Friday, December 18 | 10:00 - 11:30 am CT | Illini Union- Illinois Ballrooms ABC Register for the Open House
December 2026 Gies Convocation Ceremony
Friday, December 18 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm CT | Krannert Center for Performing Arts
Register for the Convocation Ceremony
Please note: Attending the convocation ceremony is an optional and separate process from applying to the degree list to earn your degree.
Canvas Course Page Has a Time Limit
Canvas course pages are available for eight weeks from the end of the last course module, as stated in each course syllabus. After eight weeks from the end date, you will no longer have access to your course(s) dashboard in Canvas. Save any documents before that date for your personal archives. Your access to course content and videos in Coursera will not expire.
Fall 1 Grade Release
Final grades for the Fall 1 term are available to view in Student Self-Service on Saturday, October 24.
Diversify Your Career Strategy
It is important to have a holistic approach to your career search and Gies Online Programs offers resources to diversify your career strategy, including:
- Handshake- Explore job postings and connect directly with employers.
- Big Interview- Practice mock interviews for a hands-on learning experience.
- VMock- An AI resume builder tailored to your specific skills and career path.
Gies Events
Fire Side Chat with a Decacorn on Campus
Monday, September 28 | 4:00 pm | Beckman Institute, Auditorium (Rm 1025)
Join The Grainger College of Engineering as we sit down with alumnus Dan Caruso ('86, B.S., Mechanical Engineering), a three-time "decacorn" who has built industry-defining companies — including one that sold for $8.5 billion. Caruso will share insights on his career as an entrepreneur and discuss the future tech frontier, including quantum computing, space technology and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.
Accounting in the Age of AI with Gies
Wednesday, September 30 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm CT
Artificial intelligence is transforming accounting functions across industries. Join Gies' Clinical Assistant Professor of Accountancy and Academic Director of BSA/MAS, Ed Rogowski, as he hosts a conversation with alumni from Gies Business’ three master’s degree programs in accountancy: Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA), online MSA (iMSA), and Master of Accounting Science (MAS). They will discuss how accounting professionals are leveraging AI, automation, and analytics to create business value and why human expertise remains essential. Learn how graduate education can prepare you for the future of the profession.
Accounting in the Age of AI Registration
Using AI to Make Networking Easier (and More Human)
Thursday, October 1 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT | GiesConnect Live Event
Join us for a virtual live event hosted by current iMBA learner Mark Lenz, featuring Adam Newman, founder of Value-Based Networking,™ a human-centered approach to building meaningful professional relationships. Drawing on his own experience navigating networking as an introvert and helping students with their career journeys, Adam offers a practical approach to making networking feel more authentic and manageable.
The ease of AI tools like ChatGPT is increasingly filling people’s inboxes with “AI slop,” which is, at best, ineffective and, at worst, counterproductive. This session focuses on balancing the obvious efficiency gains from AI tools with the much harder goals of quality and capturing the participant's unique voice. Participants also learn how AI can help with the parts of networking that often prevent people from getting started or paralyze them during the process, allowing them to focus more energy on the human parts of the relationship.
Interested in following similar topics and live event opportunities? Join the Career & Professional Development Channel in GiesConnect.
Using AI to Make Networking Easier Registration
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!
Register for the First-Generation Learner Coffee Chat
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 learners, 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.
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. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill (Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill) Please register by Friday, October 9. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Please review the event details below. 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. GiesConnect offers a monthly virtual regional mixer for Texas the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm CT.
Gies News
Minefee Wins 2026 ISOI Research Paper Award
Gies Assistant Professor of Business Administration Ishva Minefee has received the Illinois Strategic Organizations Initiative’s 2026 Research Paper Award. The award recognizes his research with Columbia Business School’s Lori Yue on how multinational corporations navigate sociopolitical activism across home and host countries. Their paper, “Taking a stand while abroad? Towards a theory of MNCs’ sociopolitical activism in host countries,” explores when companies maintain or change their positions on social and political issues across borders. Read more about Minefee’s 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.
Fall 2 Registration Deadline for Soft Launch Access
Wednesday, September 30
iMBA, iMSM, Non-Accounting Electives
Accounting in the Age of AI with Gies
Wednesday, September 30
Founders Week 2026
Thursday, October 1
Using AI to Make Networking Easier (and More Human)
Thursday, October 1
In Case You Missed It...
Previous At-a-Glance issues are available for viewing via the Announcements section of the Online Programs website.