Requirements for Current Gies Scholars

Tracking Requirement Completion

You can view which requirements you have already completed by logging in at https://giesgroups.illinois.edu, navigating to "My Checklists" on the left sidebar on the homepage, and clicking on the Gies Scholar Requirements Checklist for this academic year.

2021-2022 Requirements

To maintain status as a Gies Scholar, the following requirements should be completed each academic year. A PDF of these requirements can also be downloaded here.

  • Freshman (Class of 2025) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    llinois GPA will be evaluated at the end of freshman year.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall and spring Gies Scholar courses:

    FALL: BUS 115: Freshman Seminar
    Introduction to business and an overview of the role of the Gies College of Business and the University of Illinois in providing opportunities for undergraduates to prepare to become business leaders. Introduction to the Gies Scholar Program, a leadership program for approximately 40 incoming freshmen in Gies College of Business. Students will begin to work as a team to use leadership in service to all undergraduates in Gies College of Business.

    SPRING: BUS 116: Intercultural Learning in Business
    Required for all Gies Scholar freshmen. This is a preparatory and reflection course for the Gies Scholar international trip.

    Honors Event Participation
    Attend at least 2 Conversations with Leaders and 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event (formerly called Lunch and Learns). More information and exceptions in section below.

    Involvement
    Each year, all Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR another approved activity. A reflection will be submitted through the annual activity report form. More information below.

    Advising
    Meet with the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (Cory Ohms) once per academic year to discuss academic and leadership plans. Schedule an appointment here.

    Resume
    Upload your current resume to the annual activity report form by the end of the academic year. Your resume should include activities and involvement completed during the 2021-2022 year and should have been reviewed by Business Career Services.

    Annual Activity Report
    Submit your annual activity report online by May 13, 2022. The report will include any substitutions for events, the involvement reflection essay, and your resume.

  • Sophomore (Class of 2024) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    Must achieve a 3.0 Illinois GPA each semester.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall Gies Scholar course:
    BUS 215: Sophomore Seminar
    Required for all Gies Scholar sophomores. The course structure is divided into four focused learning modules: Negotiations, Intercultural Communications, Disruption, and Project Management.

    Honors Event Participation
    Attend at least 2 Conversations with Leaders and 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event (formerly called Lunch and Learns). More information and exceptions in section below.

    Mentorship
    Rising sophomores will connect with their incoming freshmen mentees over the summer for three different virtual meetings.

    Involvement
    Each year, all Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR another approved activity. A reflection will be submitted through the annual activity report form. More information below.

    Advising
    Meet with the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (Cory Ohms) once per academic year to discuss academic and leadership plans. Schedule an appointment here.

    Resume
    Upload your current resume to the annual activity report form by the end of the academic year. Your resume should include activities and involvement completed during the 2021-2022 year and should have been reviewed by Business Career Services.

    Annual Activity Report
    Submit your annual activity report online by May 13, 2022. The report will include any substitutions for events, the involvement reflection essay, and your resume.

  • Junior (Class of 2023) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    Must achieve a 3.0 Illinois GPA each semester.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall Gies Scholar course:
    BUS 315: Junior Seminar
    Focuses on expanding students' knowledge about higher education and the academy through the depth and breadth of University of Illinois faculty expertise. Each week, an invited faculty member will give a brief presentation on their research or area of expertise and lead an interactive discussion session with the students.

    Honors Event Participation
    Attend at least 2 Conversations with Leaders and 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event (formerly called Lunch and Learns). More information and exceptions in section below.

    Involvement
    Each year, all Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR another approved activity. A reflection will be submitted through the annual activity report form. More information below.

    Advising
    Meet with Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (Cory Ohms) once per academic year to discuss academic and leadership plans. Schedule an appointment here.

    Resume
    Upload your current resume to the annual activity report form by the end of the academic year. Your resume should include activities and involvement completed during the 2021-2022 year and should have been reviewed by Business Career Services.

    Annual Activity Report
    Submit your annual activity report online by May 13, 2022. The report will include any substitutions for events, the involvement reflection essay, and your resume.

  • Senior (Class of 2022) Requirements

    3.0 GPA Requirement
    Must achieve a 3.0 Illinois GPA each semester.

    Gies Scholar Course
    Successfully complete the fall Gies Scholar course:
    BUS 415: Senior Seminar
    A capstone leadership course for the Senior Gies Scholar class. It is meant to provide tangible leadership lessons through a variety of medium, including: (1) speeches and discussions by successful professionals in the business world and academia; (2) review and discussion amongst the class members on specifically-identified leadership topics; and (3) self-reflection on these topics and an assessment of how the student will plan to incorporate the learnings into their own leadership style.

    Mentorship
    During the academic year, seniors will meet with their freshmen mentees at least once a month. Freshmen will submit mentor meeting reflections, along with a photo of themselves with their mentor, for their BUS 115 course.

    Advising
    Meet with the Assistant Director of Honors during Fall semester for a graduation requirements check and reflective discussion on time within the Gies Scholar Program. Schedule an appointment here.

    Alumni Connection
    During the fall semester, seniors will have at least one phone call, virtual meeting, or in-person meeting with a Gies Scholar alum. Reach out to a member of the Honors Team if you need help getting connected with a Gies Scholar alum! Submit a selfie or screenshot and info about your meeting here by December 10, 2021.

Involvement: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors

Each year, Gies Scholars must actively participate in at least one Gies College of Business organization recognized by the Council of Presidents OR participate in another opportunity that requires time, dedication, and leadership skill development, such as part-time work. The Gies Business Honors Team will work with you on an appropriate option to complete this requirement. At the end of the academic year, you will submit a short reflection through the annual activity report form on Gies Groups to document your involvement.

Reflection questions: What organization were you involved with? What are the goals of the organization? How did you contribute? What skills did you learn? How do you plan to continue to be involved in the future?

Honors Event Participation: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors

Types of Events
  • Conversations with Leaders – Learn about the career paths of outstanding business leaders, many of them Gies alumni, with the opportunity to ask questions in a small group setting.
  • Gies Scholar Professional Development Events – Formerly known as Lunch and Learns, these events are sponsored by the Gies Scholar Program and include interactive discussions with college leadership and faculty, panels led by Gies Scholar upperclassmen, and major/career skill development workshops.
Event Participation

Participate in at least the following events each year:

  • 2 Conversations with Leaders
  • 1 Gies Scholar Professional Development Event
List of Events

A list of these events will be emailed out at the beginning of each semester and you will RSVP for them in advance on Gies Groups. Additional opportunities may be added throughout the semester and will be publicized via email.

Substitutions

Professional development events hosted by the James Scholar Program will also count toward the Gies Scholar Professional Development Event requirement.

If you’re not able to attend the minimum number of Conversations with Leaders due to time conflicts, University or college-sponsored lectures (e.g., Leighton Lecture, Hallene Lecture, etc.) can be substituted for Conversations with Leaders. On the annual activity report, you will need to provide the name of the lecture, date, and location as well as evidence of your attendance.  Email cohms@illinois.edu about approval for any other event substitutions.