UIC Business Welcomes High School Students for Summer Programs
Interactive presentations in Finance, Accounting, Information and Decision Sciences, and Marketing gave future business leaders a firsthand look at college life and the career opportunities a UIC Business education can provide.
Overview
UIC Business welcomed nearly 100 high school students from across the Chicago area for four days of immersive programming, held June 23–26, designed to introduce them to the many pathways available through a business education. Hosted by the Departments of Accounting, Finance, Information and Decision Sciences (IDS), and Marketing, the program combined faculty-led instruction, hands-on activities, student panels, and career exploration to give participants a firsthand look at academic programs, campus life, and the opportunities available through a UIC Business education.
From pitching stocks and analyzing brands to exploring artificial intelligence and manufacturing processes, students experienced how classroom concepts translate into real-world business challenges. Throughout the week, they connected with faculty, current students, alumni, and industry professionals while learning about academic programs, internships, leadership opportunities, and careers across the business landscape.
Accounting Day
The Department of Accounting welcomed students for a day focused on demonstrating how accounting serves as the foundation of business decision-making.
Faculty members Melissa Martin, Neel Patel, Steven Savoy, and Mark Norden began the day by connecting with students over breakfast before launching into interactive classroom activities. A lively “Two Truths and a Lie” icebreaker set the tone before discussions explored why accounting is often called the language of business, using familiar examples like cereal brands to uncover the financial stories behind everyday products.
Students then worked together in a paper-airplane assembly-line simulation, learning manufacturing concepts such as raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods while seeing firsthand how accounting supports operational decision-making.
Additional sessions explored entrepreneurship through the lens of Shark Tank, fraud detection, and the critical role accountants play in maintaining financial integrity. Throughout the day, students engaged in Q&A sessions with faculty and current UIC Business students, gaining valuable insight into college life, accounting careers, and opportunities available at UIC.
Finance Day
The Department of Finance introduced students to the world of investing, financial markets, and business decision-making through an engaging day of interactive learning.
The morning began with Bill O’Brien leading a trading game that demonstrated one of finance’s central purposes: connecting investors with promising ideas. Joan Farre-Mensa followed with an overview of UIC’s Finance program, career pathways, and strategies for preparing for internships and professional success while in college.
Students also heard directly from current Finance majors and minors, Pratham Patel, April Nguyen, Makayla Young, Awa Mirani, and Sarah Chinwalla, during a student panel discussing coursework, student organizations, internships, and campus life.
The afternoon concluded with a stock pitch competition led by John Wightkin, Aaron Diaz Bianco, Bilal Erturk, and Tom Healy. Working in teams, students analyzed publicly traded companies using PitchBook data before presenting investment recommendations. Through trading simulations, peer conversations, and real-world company analysis, participants experienced how finance professionals evaluate opportunities and make informed investment decisions.
Information and Decision Sciences (IDS) Day
Future Business Tech and AI Leaders Day introduced students to the growing role of technology, artificial intelligence, enterprise systems, and data analytics in modern organizations.
Department Head Ali Tafti and Director of Undergraduate Studies Ünsal Ozdogru welcomed students with an overview of the IDS discipline and the department’s academic offerings. IDS alumnus Robert Blackwell Jr., of Quant16/Killerspin, delivered the keynote address on leadership, innovation, and technology’s impact on business.
Students also participated in an alumni panel featuring Ross Barba (Old Second National Bank), Francisco Hernandez (PepsiCo), Patrick Klimek (Instacart), and Douglas Macak (Martin Brower), who shared their professional journeys, experiences at UIC, and advice for future business technology leaders.
The day concluded with a hands-on workshop led by Negar Soheili that demonstrated practical applications of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. Special thanks go to Roxanne Padash, her team, and the student ambassadors for creating a welcoming and engaging experience for participants.
Marketing Day
The Department of Marketing welcomed 43 high school students for an interactive introduction to marketing strategy, branding, sales, and artificial intelligence.
Led by professors Barb Barney-McNamara, Eliane Karsaklian, Anne Mägi, and Jeff Parker, students participated in collaborative exercises inspired by coursework within UIC’s Marketing program. Activities included developing marketing research recommendations for Starbucks, identifying target markets, creating marketing mixes, and presenting strategies for products of their choosing.
Students also explored branding, learning what makes companies memorable and successful, before participating in sales workshops that emphasized storytelling, active listening, and developing personal elevator pitches.
The day concluded with an exploration of how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing strategy, as students used AI tools to develop new product concepts for existing companies. Participant engagement remained high throughout the day, with students actively collaborating, asking thoughtful questions, and connecting marketing concepts to their own experiences.
According to the post-event survey, 96 percent of participants reported gaining a better understanding of UIC’s Marketing program, and more than half indicated they would consider majoring in Marketing at UIC.
Looking Ahead
The four-day series reflected UIC Business’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of business leaders through connections with faculty, students, alumni, and industry professionals. By combining hands-on learning with authentic conversations about college and careers, the programs gave participants a glimpse into the collaborative, innovative environment that defines UIC Business.
UIC Business extends its gratitude to the faculty, staff, student ambassadors, and alumni whose enthusiasm and dedication made the programs a success. The College looks forward to welcoming many of these students back to campus in the future.