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

Gies ranked Top 10 public business school by U.S. News

Sep 20, 2023, 08:03 by Aaron Bennett
Among the specialty rankings by US News & World Report, Gies has 7 programs inside the nation's Top 20. Accounting is once again ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Gies College of Business is once again ranked as a Top 10 public undergraduate business program, according to the latest rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. Gies Business was ranked No. 7 among public undergraduate business programs and No. 17 overall. U.S. News & World Report asks deans and senior faculty members to rate the academic quality of undergraduate business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). On the overall university rankings the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign came in at No. 35 (No. 12 among public universities), its best ranking in more than 20 years.

Among the specialty rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Gies has seven programs inside the nation's Top 20. Accounting is once again ranked No. 2 in the nation. Insurance/Risk Management (No. 8), Marketing (No. 12), Management (No. 15), Finance (No. 16), Management Information Systems (No. 17), and Supply Chain (No. 19) were also recognized as top programs.

Across all of its programs, Gies helps develop professionals who are prepared to lead in a rapidly changing world. The College’s commitment to action learning means students gain experience solving real problems for actual clients, preparing them to succeed in their careers from day one. Gies Business is a place where students’ ideas cross-pollinate with those of others, where they learn bold thinking, and where they make lifelong connections and friendships.

The full rankings and methodology can be found here.

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