Professional Development

Lifelong learning is a priority at Gies. Whether staff are looking to improve skills, acquire new knowledge and skills, or grow on a personal level, there are online and in-person resources available to support employees on their learning journey. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities listed below. In addition, units have an allocated professional development budget to be used at their discretion for conferences, workshops, etc. relevant to their unit. For questions, please contact Gies HR Partners at HRHelpDesk@business.illinois.edu.

Gies Discounted Tuition

After one year of permanent employment, Gies permanent academic professional and civil service employees who are interested in taking online for-credit courses through Gies are eligible to receive a 50% discount on tuition for a maximum of three courses (or 12 credit hours) per academic year. Employees that have successfully completed three classes have no limit on courses taken per year contingent upon their supervisor’s approval and a manageable work plan. This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis and is subject to modification annually with no legacy rights.

LinkedIn Learning Online Training Library®

The University of Illinois has contracted with LinkedIn to provide members of the University of Illinois with access to over 1,200 free online courses. It’s a great resource for all university employees.

Illinois on Coursera 

Illinois on Coursera gives Illinois staff and faculty free access to more than 170 non-credit online courses and specializations. Visit Illinois on Coursera to learn more and get started.

Upcoming Workshops and Trainings at Gies

A variety of online and in-person workshops and trainings are provided specifically for Gies faculty and staff each year. Check out our weekly digest Bottom Line, and keep an eye on your inbox for information about upcoming opportunities.

  • Active Threat Training (in person) | Requested by Unit | Contact UIPD

Campus Resources

As a university employee, you have access to many campus-wide resources. Some of the most used resources are listed below. You’re encouraged to take advantage of these and any other campus resources available to you.

Remote Work Resources

As a result of COVID-19, it has become more common for staff to have remote or hybrid work agreements. The resources below provide guidance on managing challenges that can sometimes come with remote work.