Gies Business News and Stories
Explore the ideas, people, and impact shaping Gies College of Business. From faculty research and student experiences to alumni achievements and donor impact, these stories highlight how our community is advancing business knowledge and creating real-world change.
McDonald’s Turnaround Architect: Honoring the legacy of Accountancy alum Jim Cantalupo
Apr 15, 2026
Gies Business alumnus Jim Cantalupo came out of retirement to lead McDonald’s through a rapid and decisive turnaround by shifting the company’s focus from expansion to improving quality, operations, and customer experience. Decades after his death, he is leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to shape McDonald’s strategy and future leaders.
New federal action on Medicare and Medicaid fraud echoes research from Gies Business
Apr 14, 2026
A federal shift in how Medicare and Medicaid fight fraud aligns with research by Gies Business professor Riley League. His work shows the old system is ineffective and that measures like prior authorization can drastically cut fraudulent spending without harming patients.
State honors Larry Gies for transformational leadership and public service
Apr 13, 2026
In addition to being the namesake of Gies College of Business, Larry Gies is the founder and CEO of Madison Industries, one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world.
Study helps universities strategize courses on ever-changing topics
Apr 10, 2026
Some areas of knowledge change little over time – but others, like AI and entrepreneurship, evolve so quickly that faculty must redesign them every semester.
How AI chatbots streamline Gies Business student experience
Apr 09, 2026
Gies Business is integrating AI chatbots into courses to provide students with instant, reliable answers to questions, reducing repetitive inquiries and freeing faculty to focus on deeper teaching and mentorship.
How VR is shaping human-centered experiences in the Age of AI
Apr 08, 2026
Students at Gies Business participated in an immersive virtual reality experience about a Syrian refugee camp to help them develop empathy as part of a human-centered design course.
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PODCAST: The Surprising Link Between FDA Action and Drug Supply
Apr 07, 2026
In this episode of Research Reverb, Gies Business professors Gopesh Anand and Iris Wang discuss their research, which shows that unfavorable FDA inspection outcomes are linked to fewer future drug shortages.
Building a better supply chain at third annual Gies Business SCM Conference
Apr 06, 2026
The Sustainable and Socially Responsible Supply Chains Conference at Gies College of Business brought together academics, industry leaders, and students to explore how supply chains can balance profitability with sustainability through research, keynotes, and real-world problem-solving initiatives like a student case competition.
From Sales Rep to Strategist: How Gies iMBA helped Roberto Martinez make career pivot
Apr 02, 2026
Roberto Martinez has navigated a series of pivots, restarts, and a moment of reckoning on his way to earning an MBA from Gies College of Business and a 40% return on investment.
Life in Parallel: How Gies Business iMBA program helps women lead without putting life on hold
Apr 01, 2026
Gies Business' fully online iMBA program enables women to advance their careers while balancing family and personal responsibilities, allowing them to learn and apply skills in real time.
Investment Management Academy posts strong fall gains, outperforming S&P 600
Mar 31, 2026
The Investment Management Academy (IMA), a program within the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business, returned 5.66%, outperforming the S&P 600 by 2.06%.
iVenture team, Credence Cleantech, moving forward with energy pilot in India
Mar 30, 2026
Less than a year after participating in the iVenture Accelerator, Credence Cleantech is embarking on a pilot energy project in India. The ambitious initiative could potentially launch a cost-effective net-zero alternative for plants and bring in $1.5 million for the startup.