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.
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
Byrnes brings real-world experience to Reichard Real Estate Academy
Aug 31, 2026
Gies Business alumna Sarah Byrnes is returning to the College to lead the Reichard Real Estate Academy after more than 20 years in commercial real estate, where she completed more than $2.4 billion in financing.
Brokemond hired to helm Orange & Blue Ventures
Aug 27, 2026
Veteran investment banker Shay Brokemond is joining Gies Business to co-direct Orange & Blue Ventures, a new student-led venture capital initiative where students will invest real money in startups.
Jiekun Huang honored with Richard S. Williams Endowed Professorship of Finance
Aug 26, 2026
Huang’s research focuses on how economic agents—including investors, corporate executives, and political figures—and the interactions among them shape the informational role of financial markets and corporate decision-making.
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
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
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.
Brown wins ARIA's Robert I. Mehr Award for research reshaping Social Security policy
Jul 23, 2026
Ten years later, the paper's core finding – that something as simple as a framing choice can measurably shift a decision worth tens of thousands of dollars in lifetime income – continues to inform how policymakers, financial advisors, and researchers think about presenting retirement information.
University of Illinois launches campuswide Entrepreneurship Minor
Jul 22, 2026
For the first time ever, students from across the University of Illinois can now pursue an entrepreneurship minor. Beyond core courses from both Gies Business and Grainger Engineering, the minor allows students to choose from more than 70 elective courses from within their respective colleges to round out the minor.
Entrepreneurship Student Accountancy Business Administration Alumni Finance Faculty