UIC Business Receives ANA University Membership from Mars, Inc.
Expands access to premier marketing research, certifications, and industry engagement through the ANA Educational Foundation.
UIC Business Receives ANA University Membership from Mars, Inc.
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Business Administration is proud to announce that Mars, Inc. has donated a 2026 ANA University Membership, providing faculty and students direct access to premier marketing resources through the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and its educational arm, the ANA Educational Foundation (AEF).
This membership allows us to bring industry best practices directly into the classroom while strengthening career readiness for our students.
— David Gal, Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Marketing
The membership was secured through the leadership of Sajna Razi, clinical associate professor of Marketing, who manages UIC Business’s partnership with the ANA, in collaboration with Rosa Rebolledo, associate director of Business, Alumni and Community Engagement, to bring this opportunity to the college. This effort strengthens the bridge between classroom learning and industry engagement — ensuring that our students and faculty benefit from premier professional resources.
About the ANA Educational Foundation
The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) is one of the most influential and premier organizations in the marketing and advertising industry. It focuses on thought leadership to the industry, strengthening brands, fostering responsible marketing, and providing insight, research, and industry‑wide learning.
ANA Educational Foundation (AEF) — ANA’s academic and talent‑development arm — serves as a bridge between industry and academia, inspiring and preparing the next generation of marketing talent. AEF’s mission is to strengthen the talent pipeline by equipping students and educators with tools, case studies, and insights from leading brands and marketing professionals.
What an ANA University Membership Provides
The ANA University Membership opens the door to a robust suite of benefits for both faculty and students at UIC Business.
For Faculty
- Proprietary ANA research and reports offering insight into current marketing trends and analytics
- Teaching resources and case materials that integrate directly into marketing and analytics coursework
- Professional development opportunities, including webinars, events, and practitioner-led sessions
- Engagement opportunities with industry leaders and stay current with evolving best practices
This access strengthens curriculum relevance and ensures that students are learning from frameworks and tools actively used in today’s marketplace.
For Students
- Credentials/Microlearning courses to enhance résumés and signal applied marketing knowledge :
- MarTech Foundations certification program
- SeeHer Education certification program
- Certified ANA Marketing Student (CAMS)
- IBM SkillsBuild: Artificial Intelligence courses
- Real-world case studies from leading brands
- Emerging marketing tools integrated into coursework
- Industry career exposure across brand, media, and analytics roles
- Access to industry internships & mentor programs
By bridging academic learning with practitioner insight, the membership helps prepare students to enter the workforce with both conceptual understanding and applied skills.
Strengthening Industry Connection
The donation from Mars, Inc. reflects a shared commitment to cultivating the next generation of business leaders. As one of the world’s leading consumer brands, Mars brings a deep understanding of marketing excellence and talent development. Through this membership, UIC Business further strengthens its connections with industry partners while expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement among students, faculty, and marketing professionals.
Mars’s investment in this membership reflects a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of marketing leaders.
This partnership reinforces UIC Business’s commitment to industry-engaged education — equipping students with the knowledge, credentials, and professional exposure needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape.