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.
Gies Business senior is tackling cybersecurity efficiency through research and entrepreneurship
Apr 30, 2026
Gies Business senior Atharv Vasisht is developing Legion SDI, a prototype platform designed to integrate and optimize enterprise cybersecurity tools, potentially reducing threat detection and response times by over 80%.
NexLoop could bring delivery robots to campus sidewalks
Apr 29, 2026
A University of Illinois student co-founded NexLoop, a startup building autonomous delivery robots designed for campuses. Their multi-compartment robots can carry different types of items at once and use AI for efficient routing.
Gies Business grad student earns place in prestigious FASB post-graduate program
Apr 28, 2026
Gies accounting grad Jake Kanter was selected for a highly competitive post-graduate technical assistant role at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), where only 15–20 candidates are chosen nationwide each year.
New data shows high placement rates, salaries for Gies Business graduates
Apr 27, 2026
Gies Business graduates are seeing strong career outcomes with high salaries (around $81K average) and record signing bonuses. Their success is driven by hands-on learning, career support, and skills like AI fluency. Programs like real-world projects, internships, and study abroad help students build confidence and land roles across industries like finance, consulting, and tech.
Sol brings added safety and empowerment to wheelchair operators
Apr 24, 2026
Carter Schott developed Sol, a USB-powered lighting system for wheelchairs that improves visibility and allows users to signal for attention. Supported by the University of Illinois’ entrepreneurial ecosystem, he is refining the product through user feedback and pilot testing while working toward bringing it to market and expanding adaptive technology solutions.
MailWand hopes to revolutionize digital conversation management, starting with rebuilding email for the AI era
Apr 22, 2026
MailWand is an AI-powered email client founded by Gies Business student Runzhao Hu that transforms cluttered inboxes into structured, actionable workflows. Instead of treating emails as messages, it organizes them into prioritized tasks, categorized workflows, and key insights using AI.
PODCAST: Smarter Scheduling for Chronic Care
Apr 21, 2026
A new framework from Gies Business professor Ujjal Mukherjee combines machine learning with scheduling optimization to tackle one of healthcare's toughest problems: the sickest patients are often the least likely to get time with a doctor.
PODCAST: Gies Business Dean Brooke Elliott
Apr 20, 2026
Nearly two years into her tenure as Gies Business Dean, Brooke Elliott shares her vision to dramatically increase the number of students who can benefit from a Gies education, driven by her belief in education’s power to change lives and create lasting impact.
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Edwards, Santogrossi honored with 2025 GBAA awards
Apr 17, 2026
Two Gies College of Business alumni have been honored by the Gies Business Alumni Association for their contributions to business and to the College.
Gies Business grad students earn runner-up honors in major agentic AI hackathon
Apr 16, 2026
In January, two Gies Business MSBA students placed second in the most competitive track at the AgentX-AgentBeats Competition, hosted by the UC Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence
McDonald’s Turnaround Architect: Honoring the legacy of Accountancy alum Jim Cantalupo
Apr 15, 2026
Gies Business alumnus Jim Cantalupo came out of retirement to lead McDonald’s through a rapid and decisive turnaround by shifting the company’s focus from expansion to improving quality, operations, and customer experience. Decades after his death, he is leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to shape McDonald’s strategy and future leaders.
New federal action on Medicare and Medicaid fraud echoes research from Gies Business
Apr 14, 2026
A federal shift in how Medicare and Medicaid fight fraud aligns with research by Gies Business professor Riley League. His work shows the old system is ineffective and that measures like prior authorization can drastically cut fraudulent spending without harming patients.