Finance Reception Highlights Expanding Alumni Engagement at UIC Business
From a signature finance networking event to everyday classroom connections, UIC Business alumni are playing a vital role in shaping student success and strengthening industry relationships.
Alumni Engagement in Action
Alumni Engagement in Action
Alumni engagement across UIC Business continues to grow, creating impact across the college community. From Alumni Coffee Chats and classroom guest speakers to career fairs and events like the Finance Reception, alumni are helping shape the student experience and prepare students for life after graduation.
These efforts reflect a consistent theme: UIC Business alumni are eager to give back, strengthening connections and expanding opportunities for students.
This momentum is reflected in both large-scale events and ongoing engagement across campus.
A Signature Event: The Finance Reception
A Signature Event: The Finance Reception
This spirit of connection was on full display at UIC’s Third Annual Finance Reception, held on April 9, 2026, in downtown Chicago. The event brought together more than 250 attendees, including 150 students, 75 alumni, faculty, staff, university leadership, and business professionals from across Chicago’s finance community.
The evening provided a dynamic environment for networking and collaboration, offering students the opportunity to engage with alumni and employers. The program featured inspiring remarks from University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen and UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda, setting the tone for an event centered on leadership, opportunity, and community.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address by alumnus Constantine “Dean” Mihas, Co-CEO and Managing Director at GTCR.
Drawing on his journey from UIC’s finance program to leading one of Chicago’s premier private equity firms, Mihas shared insights on leadership, growth, and career development. His story offered students a powerful example of what is possible after graduation while reinforcing the value of staying connected and giving back to the UIC Business community.
Students engaged actively throughout the evening, reflecting the professionalism, energy, and ambition of UIC Business students.
The strong turnout and vibrant participation underscored the importance of events like the Finance Reception in fostering community, strengthening professional networks, and supporting student success.
Alumni engagement plays an essential role in shaping the UIC Business experience, bridging the gap between the classroom and the corporate world.
Engagement Across Campus
While the Finance Reception highlights alumni engagement at scale, alumni make an impact across campus in more targeted ways.
Whether through mentoring, speaking engagements, advising, sponsoring projects, or sharing career opportunities, there is no single path to engagement — each contribution helps strengthen the college and expand opportunities for students.
Recently, alumna Andrea Saenim (MBA ’06) led a workshop for graduate students on effective networking strategies, sponsored by the Graduate Student Advisory Board.
Later this month, UIC Business will co-host Executive Dialogue: Shaping the Future of Agentic AI Strategy with alumnus Vivek Mullick (MBA ’08), further expanding opportunities for students to engage with industry leaders.
Together, these experiences demonstrate how alumni involvement extends well beyond a single event, creating ongoing opportunities for students to learn, connect, and grow.
Growing Impact
Alumni involvement is essential to the UIC Business experience. Through both large-scale events and ongoing involvement across campus, alumni are helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the corporate world.
As these connections deepen, students gain not only access to professional networks but also the insight and confidence needed to navigate their careers. The impact of alumni engagement is clear — and growing.