Emerging Business Leaders Hero

Preparing tomorrow’s leaders – today

The Emerging Business Leaders (EBL) program at Gies College of Business is a summer program designed for high-achieving Black, African-American, Hispanic, Latinx/a/o, and Native American students entering their senior year of high school.

Program Dates: June 23 - 28, 2024

Apply Now ›

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 (June 23 - 28, 2024)


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

Gies Business Spring Luncheon 2022

Gies College of Business 2022 Spring Luncheon
Friday, April 29, 2022 
11 am-1:30 pm | Chicago, IL

The Gies Business Alumni Association and Gies Business invite you to join us for the return of the in person Spring Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Robert J. Jones, Chancellor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

During the program, we will celebrate Gies College of Business and the University of Illinois, and we will recognize distinguished faculty and alumni with the Excellence-in-Teaching Awards, the Gies College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Gies College of Business Appreciation Award.

Register for the Spring Luncheon


The support of our loyal alumni makes this luncheon a great success. Details and sponsorship opportunities can be found at go.gies.illinois.edu/SL2022.

*We will be following university and local city COVID guidelines for this event. Additional details will be communicated as event dates approach.