Magelli Office of Experiential Learning

As we wind down the fall semester, we wanted to reflect on the amazing impact our students had in partnership with our clients. This impact would not have been possible without the support of our network of Magelli clients, alums, and dedicated staff and faculty. From our entire Magelli staff and 100+ student teams, wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season, see you at the beginning of the Spring 2025 semester!

Where Business Meets Impact: Student Presentations with Heartland Coca-Cola   This week, our students from Illinois Business Consulting (IBC) had the privilege of delivering their final project presentations to Heartland Coca-Cola. As the largest student-run consulting organization in the country, IBC provides students with a unique platform to apply their analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills in a real-world setting.   The collaboration with Heartland Coca-Cola offered our students an incredible opportunity to tackle complex challenges and deliver actionable insights. The experience of working with a real client and presenting to their leadership team is one of the most valuable learning experiences our students can have.   A special thank you to Stephanie Seay and the Heartland Coca-Cola team for trusting our students with this engagement and for being such a thoughtful and engaged partner. It’s through partnerships like these that we continue to bridge the gap between education and industry impact.   To our students—your creativity, commitment, and professionalism were on full display. Congratulations on a job well done!   #IllinoisBusinessConsulting #ExperientialLearning #GiesBusiness #StudentImpact #ConsultingExperience

As we approach the final week of the semester, we wanted to feature a small sample of the over 120 final presentations happening on and off campus. Thank you to all of our students and clients! Last week, our students had the unique opportunity to present their final project deliverables on-site with the Champaign Fire Department. These experiences are a hallmark of experiential learning at Gies, where students step out of the classroom and into the community to engage with real-world stakeholders. Presenting to municipal leaders provided our students with valuable experience in professionalism, public sector collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking. The opportunity to contribute to initiatives that have a tangible impact on the community is something our students will carry with them well beyond this project. A sincere thank you to the Champaign Fire Department for welcoming our students and supporting this collaborative experience. Opportunities like these not only deepen student learning but also underscore the power of partnerships between education and public service. To our students—congratulations on your thoughtful presentations, professionalism, and hard work. You continue to make us proud! #ExperientialLearning #GiesBusiness #CommunityImpact #PublicSectorPartnerships #RealWorldLearning

Celebrating Collaboration and Growth at Gies College of Business   This week, we had the privilege of hosting UFP Packaging on campus for our students’ final project presentations. These moments are the essence of experiential learning, where the intersection of student innovation and client needs creates real-world impact.   Our students delivered thoughtful, creative solutions to complex challenges, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication they’ve honed throughout the semester. It was equally rewarding to see how these presentations brought new insights and value to UFP Packaging, demonstrating the power of collaboration.   A special highlight of the day? Seeing Sean Hesano, a former student and now a key member of UFP Packaging’s team, return as both a professional contributor and a mentor to our students. Watching his journey come full circle is a reminder of the lasting connections and opportunities that our Gies community fosters.   Thank you, UFP Packaging, for your partnership and for making this an unforgettable experience for our students. And to our student teams—your hard work and passion continue to inspire us. Well done!   #ExperientialLearning #GiesBusiness #Collaboration #StudentImpact #RealWorldLearning

A snowy start to the week won’t slow down our students as they kick off final client presentations! Over the next two weeks, more than 100 Experiential Learning presentations are scheduled, showcasing innovative solutions and hard work. As we gear up for an exciting slate of spring semester projects, we’re looking to partner with organizations like yours. Interested in tackling your business challenges with the help of talented Gies students? Let’s connect! Contact us today to learn how we can collaborate. https://lnkd.in/gfAxyFYp #ExperientialLearning #BusinessSolutions #GiesCollegeOfBusiness #MagelliOffice

As we reflect on Thanksgiving week and the final home stretch of the semester, we asked a few of our Magelli Office team members why they are thankful this week. If you are a past student, client, or friend of the Magelli Office, comment below on why you are thankful this holiday season! #WeAreGies #Thankful #Magelli #ExperientialLearning

Ever feel like your business could benefit from a completely new set of eyes? Not sure where to start? Does starting a new project give you a sense of dread? At the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning, we specialize in offering a perspective that can give you peace of mind. Our student-led teams work with small and medium-sized businesses to uncover opportunities, solve tough challenges, and reimagine strategies—always with a fresh perspective and innovative approach. Think of it as having a dynamic consulting team, but one driven by curiosity, creativity, and the latest in business thinking. Ready to see your business from a new angle? We still have availability for our Spring '25 project slate, and YOU could benefit from this fresh perspective! Let's connect! https://lnkd.in/gfAxyFYp #FreshPerspectives #GiesBusiness #StrategicPartnerships #InnovationForBusiness #ExperientialLearning #WeAreGies

One of the most rewarding parts of working at the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning is seeing our alumni return—not just as guests, but as clients and collaborators. It’s a full-circle moment when former students come back to partner with us on impactful projects, creating hands-on learning experiences for the next generation. It speaks to the strength of our community and the value of experiential learning at Gies College of Business. Proud to see our alumni giving back in such a meaningful way! "As a fellow Gies alum, I was excited to have the opportunity to work on a project with current students. I think it was an asset to both the students and to my business. It was refreshing to see the project through their lens and fresh eyes. I appreciated that I could still work in my business on daily tasks while the students helped tackle our growth and marketing challenges. It was a great experience and I look forward to more projects in the future!" -Dr. Joella Koss, DVM, MBA '20 All About Animals Pet Clinic - Mahomet, IL Are you an alum looking for a great way to give back? Let's chat to see how we can create a mutually beneficial partnership! https://lnkd.in/gfAxyFYp #ExperientialLearning #GiesBusiness #WeAreGies #AlumniNetwork #BusinessEducation

To All Veterans, including those close to our Magelli Office of Experiential Learning Family: Today, we express our deep gratitude to all veterans for their courage, dedication, and sacrifices. Your service embodies values that inspire us daily—duty, resilience, and integrity. Thank you for your commitment, and for the strength you and your families have shown. We honor you today and always. #ThankYouVeterans #HonoringService #Gratitude #Gies #WeAreGies

🚀 Partner with Gies College of Business Students for Real-World Impact! 🚀 The Magelli Office of Experiential Learning at Gies College of Business is looking for exciting project partners for our Action Learning and Master’s of Business Analytics programs. We’re seeking organizations ready to gain valuable insights from fresh perspectives while supporting our students in applying their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. How We Can Help: • Action Learning Projects: Our teams tackle business challenges in areas like strategy, marketing, operations, and innovation—providing targeted, impactful solutions to your organization’s needs. • Business Analytics Projects: If you have complex datasets, our Master’s students excel at data cleaning, analysis, and visualization to uncover insights that drive data-informed decision-making. • Illinois Business Consulting (IBC): As the nation’s largest student-run consulting organization, IBC delivers customized solutions and strategic insights across diverse industries, from tech to finance and healthcare. Why Partner with Us? By collaborating with us, you’ll receive data-backed recommendations and new insights tailored to your organization’s specific challenges while helping develop the next generation of data-savvy business leaders. 📩 Interested? Let’s connect! Message me here or reach out directly at actionlearning@business.illinois.edu to discuss how we can collaborate to create impactful projects. Let’s make data work for you!