As we step into November, exciting opportunities and highlights await the iGBA community. This month, we’re sharing all the details about our upcoming Winter Takeover event, recapping the energy from recent international meetups, and providing program updates.  Discover all the ways to engage, network, and make the most of this November with iGBA.

SAVE THE DATE for Winter Takeover 2026!

January 16-17, 2026 | Illinois vs. Minnesota 

Can you believe it’s already been two months since iConverge? If you’re still riding that orange-and-blue high, it’s time for round two - Winter Takeover 2026 is coming this January!

☃️ Now in its 5th year, Winter Takeover has become the mid-year tradition for iGBA and iDegrees students - equal parts reunion, networking, and basketball. It might be cold outside, but it’s electric inside - and that’s Winter Takeover.

This year, the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team takes on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and we’re taking over campus once again. Think warm Illini spirit and a weekend packed with connection, cheering, and school pride.

📅 Mark your calendars: Blue Members get first dibs on tickets

Bundle up, bring your best orange and blue gear, and get ready to cheer loud - because Winter Takeover is where the Illini heat up the winter!

📢 Upcoming events this week!

Cracking the Code: Outsmarting the AI Gatekeepers in your job search

Saturday November 15, 2025  |  11am CT

Audwin Barnes is the Head of Talent Acquisition at Summit Utilities, Inc. He brings over 30 years of experience leading high-impact recruitment teams and driving organizational growth through strategic talent acquisition. In this session, learn to master resume optimization, crack the code of AI screening systems, and land your application in a human recruiter's hands.

🔗 Zoom link: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/89748523588?pwd=utkaYYRXiBNbwSnKUUiv75nvzfyDCS.1

Disability Accommodations: From Classroom to C-Suite

Monday November 17, 2025 |  6pm CT

🎙️ Susann Ji Sears and Allison Frees-Williams from the UIUC Disability

Join the iGBA Access and Community Disability Access and Inclusion Affinity Group for an engaging conversation on how disability accommodations shape equitable learning environments, and how those same principles apply to building inclusive, high-performing workplaces. From ADA foundations to myth-busting and real-world applications, this session equips future leaders with the knowledge to navigate accessibility from the classroom to the boardroom.

Resources and Educational Services (DRES)

🎓 Topics include: Academic and workplace accommodations, ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, Equity versus equality, and Busting common myths.

✅ Register and request accommodations by 11/13:

https://micro.page/d718b3f9 

(Zoom will include recording, captioning, and transcription)

Smarter Not a Cheater: Responsible Al Use in Your Graduate Journey

Saturday Nov 22, 2025 |  11 am CT

Dmitry Moiseev is a technology executive with over 20 years of experience and currently serves as a Senior Director of Engineering at Cambium Networks. He is passionate about sharing his insights and mentoring others through technical strategy and leadership challenges. In this session, master ethical and effective AI integration to enhance your graduate research and academic work without compromising integrity.

🔗  Zoom link : https://illinois.zoom.us/j/81855791206?pwd=2uJP7VuDyDO8XJEqivRA07GYVz4S9w.1

Introducing the Project, Program & Product Management (P3M) Subcommittee!  🌟

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

Project, Program & Product Management (P3M) Subcommittee !

This new group will unite students and alumni passionate about leading projects, managing programs, and driving product innovation across industries. Whether you’re exploring Agile methodologies, pursuing professional certifications, or eager to connect with peers who thrive on delivering impact - this community is your hub!

First meeting: January 2026

Coming soon: Roundtables, speaker sessions, and study cohorts

📩 Ready to get involved?
Join our LinkedIn community here

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

International Chapter Highlights

The international chapters have been buzzing with activity recently, hosting successful mini meetups across Kuwait, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. These gatherings brought together alumni and students for meaningful networking, cultural exchange, and sharing insights about professional growth. The enthusiasm and connections made during these events highlight the strength of the iGBA global community, and more gatherings are on the horizon to keep the momentum going.

Immersions - Spring and Summer 2026

We are excited to share the locations and key details for the Spring and Summer 2026 Immersions! Applications will open on  October 27 , but you can start reviewing options now. Gies is offering opportunities for the following dates and locations:

• March 11– 24, 2026 – virtual, South Korea

• May 16 – 23, 2026 – in-person, Germany 

• August 2 – 8, 2026 – in-person, South Africa

As an iDegree learner, you’ll participate in a case competition with a business from the host country, explore local business practices and culture, and connect with fellow iDegree learners from around the world. All iDegree learners in the iMSM, iMSA, and iMBA programs are eligible to participate in an immersion. However, if you graduate before the immersion begins, you cannot participate.

*iMBA Learners Only*  Completing an immersion can count as one of the two required specialization capstones for the iMBA. It cannot count for the program capstone, and only one immersion may count toward capstone credit.

Review the Spring and Summer 2026 Immersion document   for program fees, estimated single room rates, immersion itineraries and more details.

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

The Magelli Office of Experiential Learning is now sourcing Spring 2026 projects, and we’d love your help. Each year, Gies students work with organizations to address real business challenges and apply their classroom knowledge to create a tangible impact.

As an alum, you know the value of hands-on experience. Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or connected with an organization that could benefit from fresh insights, this is a powerful way to give back—by providing students with the opportunity to learn through doing.

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

Let’s keep the Illinois spirit strong—and make a difference for students and businesses alike.

Military Coffee Chat (All Learners)

Thursday, November 20 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT

We invite all active-duty service members, reservists, and veterans in Gies Online Programs to our coffee chat. Join our recruitment team and current student veterans as they discuss their successes, answer questions and share advice and resources. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow military members and veterans, exchange perspectives, and share valuable resources that have enhanced your experience in the program. Register for the Military Coffee Chat

Thank you for attending iGBA’s Virtual Mixer!

It was great to connect, grow, and network with you all last month. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!

🎉 Upcoming Student-led Events!

We are continuing to highlight events organized by iDegrees student and alumni. These events are not affiliated or sponsored by the GBA, Gies College of Business, or the University of Illinois.

Pre-Thanksgiving Social | Tuesday November 25 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Event Organizer: Kevin Davis

Are you an iDegrees student or alum hosting an upcoming event in your region? Reach out to us to be featured in our next newsletter!