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.
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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
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.
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
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
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