UIC Business Student Leaders Build Skills and Community at Annual Leadership Retreat
Full-day event in Douglass Hall highlights professionalism, collaboration, and Fall 2026 planning
Student organization leaders from across UIC Business gathered in Douglass Hall for the annual Business Leadership Retreat, a full day dedicated to leadership development, collaboration, and planning for the upcoming academic year.
One of the highlights of the retreat was a candid conversation on professionalism featuring UIC Business alumni Krystal Aranda and Sydney Reyes. Both alumni shared personal stories about moments where they “got it wrong” professionally, how they navigated challenges in the workplace, and the lessons they learned while building their careers.
Inside the UIC Business Leadership Retreat
Their discussion focused heavily on the importance of developing a strong personal brand and professional reputation in the workplace. They spoke honestly about the work it takes to become known as a reliable employee, including accountability, communication, consistency, and the importance of how others experience working with you every day.
Throughout the retreat, students also connected with leaders from other business student organizations, exchanged best practices for organizational success, and spent dedicated time meeting with their executive boards to prepare for Fall 2026 programming and recruitment efforts.
The retreat also included a tour of Studio25, UIC Business’s recording studio on the 25th floor of University Hall, where student leaders explored opportunities to create recruitment videos, podcasts, and digital content for their organizations.
The annual retreat continues to serve as an important investment in student leadership development and community-building across UIC Business.