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.
Changing the game: Gies MSM grad Sam Phillips advocates for LGBTQ+ athletes
Aug 20, 2026
Sam Phillips (MSM '26) transformed his experiences as a collegiate gymnast and LGBTQ+ advocate into a career with Athlete Ally, where he promotes inclusion in sports while applying the business skills he gained at Gies College of Business.
Gies Business alumna and Culver's CEO Julie Fussner named to Forbes 50 Over 50 list
Aug 18, 2026
The first woman to lead Culver’s, Fussner credits her broad University of Illinois education with helping shape her approach to leadership and problem-solving. Since joining Culver’s in 2017, she has helped drive the brand’s growth and evolution while maintaining its Midwest roots and people-first culture.
How Gies Business iMBA elevated Butrymovich’s career from a mountaintop
Aug 17, 2026
Olivia Butrymovich (MBA ’26) balanced a demanding role at Colorado’s Copper Mountain Resort with Gies Business’ flexible online iMBA program, applying what she learned immediately to lead projects and manage teams.
At 2026 Cozad Lecture, Kent Dauten shares insights on the investing field
Aug 14, 2026
Private equity veteran Kent Dauten drew on more than 40 years in investing to share career and leadership lessons with Gies Business students, encouraging them to approach networking with curiosity, seek early-career roles with steep learning curves, and value diverse perspectives when making major decisions.
Student Accountancy Alumni Business Administration Faculty Finance
What picking pay peers reveals about executive labor market
Aug 13, 2026
New research from Gies Business shows how the peer firms companies choose to benchmark CEO pay can reveal insights into the executive labor market and help explain hiring and compensation decisions.
Two Gies Business iMBA Graduates Named Poets&Quants’ 2026 ‘Best & Brightest’
Aug 10, 2026
Melissa Cummings and Patrick Surrett earned their spots by translating business theory into immediate results. Both used their studies to tackle complex operational challenges – Cummings in nonprofit workforce development and Surrett in defense healthcare systems.
Agentic AI Build-a-thon delivers systems innovation for Gies Business operations
Aug 06, 2026
The intensive 24-hour “build-a-thon” attracted 72 undergraduate and advanced degree students who formed teams to create agentic AI solutions alongside industry mentors.
Student Accountancy Alumni Business Administration Faculty Finance
Two Big Ten business deans on AI disruption of higher ed: It's not just about the tools
Aug 03, 2026
Gies Business Dean Brooke Elliott and Nebraska Dean Kathy Farrell recently discussed how business schools should evolve over the next decade. The conversation ranged from AI's effect on classroom pedagogy to its murkier implications for academic research, energy costs, and equity.
Student Accountancy Business Administration Alumni Faculty Finance
New Gies Business Research Says Going Green Pays Off – If You Do It Right
Jul 30, 2026
Research from Gies College of Business finds that firms that engage employees in environmental goals and plan for long term climate risks tend to outperform peers. Those efforts, however, only pay off when they are built on strong measurement and disclosure practices.
MSF alum Reddic applies Gies-inspired learning approach to leadership role at Syracuse
Jul 29, 2026
Willie Reddic credits Gies Business with helping shape the resilience and hands on teaching philosophy that have defined his career. After overcoming significant academic challenges through persistence and mentorship, he earned a PhD and has risen into academic leadership.