Business Scholars Program

Posted on June 18, 2026

A four-year honors experience that connects students with mentorship, career development, and opportunities to thrive in the business world.

The UIC Business Scholars Program is a selective, four-year honors and leadership development program for high-achieving business students that began in 2013. The program currently has approximately 240 students. Its key objectives are to develop leadership and academic excellence; enhance professional development through networking, guest speakers, internships, company visits, and career coaching; build strong mentorship and professional networks by connecting students with industry professionals, alumni, and peer mentors; and promote student success and career readiness by ensuring that each Business Scholar graduates on time with meaningful professional experience.

Two students (one male, one female) stand at the front of a classroom, addressing a large group of seated students as a Business Scholars Seminar is about to begin.
Students at the weekly Business Scholars Seminar

Benefits of the Business Scholars 

  • Dedicated Business Scholars sections of core business courses
  • Specialized Business Scholars seminar led by industry experts and senior executives
  • Personalized academic advising and career coaching through a designated academic advisor and career coach
  • Alumni engagement and networking opportunities

Business Scholars demographics

Hispanic 42%, Asian 32%, White 17%, Black/African American 9%

Program accomplishments for the spring 2026 graduating cohort include:

  • 90% of graduates completed internships
  • 95% graduated within four years
  • 77% of students have secured full-time employment, while 14% plan to pursue graduate studies

Academic Characteristics

  • Average GPA: 3.68
  • Major breakdown: ACTG 40%, FIN 31%, MKTG 11%, MGMT 5%, IDS 5%, ENTR 3%,
  • HRM 2%, Undecided 3%
Curtis Granderson stands beside a UIC podium, speaking to a large group of students outside the frame.
Curtis Granderson, UIC alumnus and former MLB player, speaks with Business Scholars during a professional development session in Spring 2026.

Programming

The Business Scholars program includes a weekly professional development seminar, BA 190, where students engage with industry leaders and alumni. Through guest speaker sessions, professionals share their career journeys, experiences, and insights, offering students valuable perspectives on the evolving business landscape.

Past Guest Speakers 

  • Jeffrey Bilek, Partner at Ernst & Young
  • Sherri Mathis, VP of Sales at TransUnion
  • Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO at Cook County Health
  • Dr. Mark Rosenblatt, CEO at UI Health
  • Tim Zoph, Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company
  • Manny Favela, Former Chief Financial Officer for McDonald’s Latin America
  • Curtis Granderson, Former MLB player

New initiatives 

New initiatives include a Business Scholars peer mentorship program and an alumni connection program.

Contact
Mayra Sanchez, Director of UIC Business Scholars
Email: msanch6@uic.edu

Modified on June 18, 2026