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.
The Always-On Professor: How Gies Business uses AI avatars
Sep 16, 2026
Gies College of Business has best testing AI-generated faculty avatars for four years to update lectures quickly, translate content, answer course questions, and provide interactive practice and coaching. The goal is to give students current, accessible, around-the-clock support while freeing professors to focus on advising, research, and personal interaction.
PODCAST: How Gies Business scales experiential learning to every student
Sep 15, 2026
Dean Brooke Elliott joined the Changing Higher Ed® podcast to discuss how Gies Business scaled experiential learning from a selective offering into a curricular requirement across every program, and what it cost on the staffing, funding, and governance side to make it hold.
Podcasts Student Accountancy Alumni Business Administration Finance Faculty
PODCAST: When Influencers use AI to interact with fans and consumers
Sep 15, 2026
A study of 225 prominent Weibo influencers found that clearly labeled AI-generated replies encouraged users to comment on later posts, including sponsored content. They worked best when they matched the influencer’s voice, addressed the specific comment, arrived after a believable delay, and were used selectively.
Gies Business alumnus Ibeabuchi named to Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40
Sep 14, 2026
Chidozie Ibeabuchi, a Gies Business iMBA alumnus, leads programs supporting more than 5,000 active and former professional soccer players
Bucheli wins Richard M. Hodgetts Award for work in management history
Sep 10, 2026
The award recognizes scholars who have made substantive contributions to scholarship, teaching, and service in the field of management history.
Study shows that AI can lower the cost and increase the speed of clinical drug trials
Sep 08, 2026
Generative AI models could help researchers use real-world patient data to identify promising treatments more quickly and potentially reduce the cost and time of clinical drug trials, while giving human experts a transparent way to validate AI’s reasoning.
PODCAST: Building a mission-driven culture of innovation
Sep 02, 2026
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.
Podcasts Student Accountancy Business Administration Alumni Faculty Finance
How Yang teaches students to verify AI and trust their gut
Aug 24, 2026
Through live app building, gamified assignments, and real-world marketing exercises, Gies Business professor Nathan Yang emphasizes verifying AI outputs, recognizing hallucinations, data poisoning, and other AI limitations.
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.