Emerging Business Leaders Hero

Preparing tomorrow’s leaders – today

The Emerging Business Leaders (EBL) program at Gies College of Business is a week-long summer initiative designed for high achieving, underserved rising high school seniors with diverse experiences, perspectives, and goals. Hosted on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, students explore a variety of business disciplines, engage with faculty, students, and alumni, and develop critical skills like communication and personal branding, all while living on campus for the week. The program offers a transformative educational experience that helps prepare participants to enter into college, supports students’ consideration of pursuing a business degree, and fosters life-long relationships.

2025 Program Dates Coming Soon.

Program Activities

  • Interactive discussions featuring Gies Business staff, students, and alumni around career possibilities in business and the Gies student experience 
  • Work in groups to solve business problems
  • Learn about college admissions
  • Have fun and make new friends

Application Criteria

The EBL Program is open to underrepresented students entering their senior year of high school. You must have:

  • 3.2/4.0 GPA or higher
  • Demonstrated leadership through extracurricular, volunteer, or work experiences
  • Ability to attend the entire program 


Program Benefits 

All students who successfully complete the Emerging Business Leaders Program will receive a University of Illinois application fee waiver. Students who apply, are admitted, and enroll into Gies Business will qualify for a renewable scholarship up to $5000 to help cover their academic costs.

Admission to the Emerging Business Leaders program does not guarantee admission to Gies Business and/or the University of Illinois.

Gies News and Events

Arkadiy Sakhartov wins 2024 ISOI Best Paper Award

Gies Professor Arkadiy Sakhartov was named the recipient of the 2024 Illinois Strategic Organizations Initiative (ISOI) Best Paper Award for his article “Corporate Diversification and Risk: Portfolio Effects and Resource Redeployability” that was published in Strategy Science in 2022.