In the February Edition of the iGBA Newsletter . . .

Happy New Year! Exciting opportunities and highlights await the iGBA community. This month we’re sharing all the details about our upcoming virtual events and initiatives, 2026 Winter Takeover recap, and providing new program updates.  Discover all the ways to engage, network, and make the most of this month with iGBA.

🎉  Winter Takeover V 2026 was a huge success! ❄️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for two unforgettable days filled with connection, learning, and Illini spirit. From engaging sessions at iConnect to cheering on the Illini basketball team, ice skating, and our lively social hours, this year’s Winter Takeover truly captured the heart of the iGBA community. We’re so proud of the energy, enthusiasm, and friendships that continue to grow through this annual tradition. 

New iGBA Committee 🌟

We’re thrilled to launch iGBA’s newest  initiative:

iGBA Alumni Advisory Committee

This committee will be made up of alumni and active students who are interested in serving as informal advisors to the iGBA. The purpose is to share perspective, ideas, and feedback that can help strengthen and improve experience, both for active students and alumni. It’s intended to be a flexible, low‑pressure opportunity to give back and stay connected. There is no significant time commitment required, so please reach out if you want to stay connected, Alums!

Ask Nathan Anything: Virtual Networking, For Real

Saturday, Feb 21 11 AM CT

“ I sent the message... but they never replied."

Sound familiar? We ’ ve all been there. Following the success of our January session, we ’ re bringing back Nathan Gold for a session where theory meets reality.

In Ask Nathan Anything: Virtual Networking, For Real, we aren ’ t just talking about tips. We are workshopping your real experiences.

• What messages felt awkward to send?

• Which ones didn't get a response?

• What surprised you about your virtual efforts?

We ’ ll refine your messages and decisions together so you can turn that initial outreach into actual momentum.

🔗 Register: Zoom

📝 The Homework: To prepare, head to democoach.com/gies and try the techniques from Session I.

Special Note for iGBA Blue Members: Need a refresher? Email Chaitanya Rani ( crv5@illinois.edu ) for the recording of our January session to get up to speed before the 21st!

🌟 P3M Kickoff Recap and What’s Next

Thank you to everyone who joined our first Project, Program & Product Management (P3M) Subcommittee kickoff in January! It was a great turnout and an awesome start to building this community for Gies students and alumni across industries.

We’re already planning our next session for March based on your feedback, with more details coming soon. In the meantime, join us and stay connected through our LinkedIn group and WhatsApp community.

iGBA Access and Community - Women in Business: Strategies for Overwhelm

Monday, March 16 @ 7 PM CST

A conversation on managing overwhelm and what happens when you've had enough. Share coping strategies from your own life and explore tips from The Age of Overwhelm by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky.

iGBA WhatsApp Community

🎉  We have  launched our official iGBA WhatsApp group! This space is for us to  connect and celebrate our Illini network. We discuss upcoming events like Winter Takeover, regional meetups, virtual seminars, and interest groups. Whether you want to network, make new friends, or simply keep up with everything happening in iGBA, there’s a place for everyone.

Ways to join the conversation: 

• Become a blue member and request to join on our website !

• Reach out to  the Executive team

• Already a GBA member? Email idegreesgba@gmail.com

  
  

  

Calling All Gies & Illinois Alumni: Help Shape the Student Experience

The Magelli Office of Experiential Learning is now sourcing Summer 2026 projects for the Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) program—and alumni are uniquely positioned to help.

MSTM projects pair technically skilled graduate students with organizations facing business challenges that involve data, technology, or emerging innovations. Student teams apply both business strategy and technical insight to projects such as:

• Evaluating or implementing new technology platforms

• Developing go-to-market strategies for emerging technologies

• Addressing industry-specific challenges with a strong technical component

These engagements are ideal for organizations exploring how technology can drive efficiency, innovation, or competitive advantage—and they often surface insights that teams don’t have the time or capacity to pursue internally.

You don’t need to be a business owner to participate. If you’re working full-time within an organization navigating digital change—or can connect us with a team that could benefit from fresh, data-driven perspective—this is a meaningful way to engage and give back.

Interested in learning more? Connect with Salvo Rodriquez (Gies ’20, MBA) for a brief conversation or view examples of past MSTM projects.

Know someone who might benefit? Share this opportunity or submit a project here: Magelli Project Submission Link

Let’s leverage the Illinois network to solve real problems—and shape the next generation of technology leaders.

University Announcements:

Course Schedule Changes for Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Courses  (iMBA, iMSA, Grad Certs, iMBA and iMSA non-Degree)

Beginning in Academic Year 2026, MBA 551-Strategic Innovation, MBA 552-Fostering Creative Thinking, and MBA 590- Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Capstone will have a shift in their scheduled offering. These courses are part of the Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate/ Focus Area, so if you are in this program, please review the updates carefully to plan ahead.  

• MBA 551: Strategic Innovation will move from its current Spring 2 offering to Spring 1 in 2027. The final Spring 2 offering of this course will be Spring 2026.  

• MBA 552: Fostering Creative Thinking will move from Summer to Fall 2 beginning in Fall 2026. The final Summer offering of this course will be Summer 2026.  

• MBA 590: Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Capstone will move from Fall 2 to Spring 2 in Spring 2027. The final Fall 2 capstone will be held Fall 2026. Please note that completion of the capstone is not required for those enrolled in the Graduate Certificate program.

To support learners on track to graduate, please note that MBA 552 will be offered back-to-back in both Summer 2026 and Fall 2026, and the Capstone will be offered twice in the upcoming academic year (in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027). The courses in this specialization are considered standalone and can be taken in any order. If you need assistance updating your degree plan or class schedule in light of these upcoming changes, connect with a  Student and Academic Success Specialist  in Express Advising or email  i-support@illinois.edu .  

McKinley Relaxation Resources (All Learners)

As a Gies Online learner, you have a lot of commitments and responsibilities to balance — finding time to relax can be a challenge. Luckily, McKinley Health Center provides a list of relaxation techniques, exercises, and tips on their website! Check out their online resources here .

Diversify Your Career Strategy (Degree Learners)

It is important to have a holistic approach to your career search and Gies Online Programs offers resources to diversify your career strategy, including:  

• Handshake - Explore job postings and connect directly with employers.

• Big Interview - Practice mock interviews for a hands-on learning experience.  

• VMock - An AI resume builder tailored to your specific skills and career path.

Are you an iDegrees student or alum hosting an upcoming event in your region? Reach out to us  ( igba-group@office365.illinois.edu )   to be featured in our next newsletter!