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For Dennis Harlow, higher education wasn’t just about earning a degree—it was about transforming his career, expanding his professional network, and immersing himself in a program that aligned with his life. From his early days as a high school bank teller to his extensive experience as a commercial banker, Dennis always had a keen interest in finance and helping his clients succeed. But it wasn’t until he started working alongside CPAs—analyzing financial statements, helping business owners allocate assets, and navigating post-acquisition strategies—that he realized he wanted to dive deeper into the field of accounting. That’s when he discovered the Master’s of Accounting (iMSA) at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business.

The Journey to Gies: A Perfect Fit
Dennis initially took online classes during COVID-19 to get back malta cell phone number list into the rhythm of school, having been out of the academic world for over 20 years. His first experience with online education was with his undergraduate alma mater, but he found the experience lacking—no interaction, no group work, no flexibility, and only pre-recorded lectures.

Despite already being accepted into his former undergraduate school’s master’s program, he was determined to find something better. He explored several options but the requirement for in-person presence was a dealbreaker, given his full-time job and other personal commitments. In Spring of 2023, just weeks before he was due to return as a full-time online student to his alma mater, he decided to continue his research for other online business programs, noting Gies consistently ranked among the best. With a strong reputation—including being a top-three accounting program in the U.S.—networking opportunities, and a robust online experience for master’s students, Gies stood out above all. Dennis quickly pivoted his plan, left his alma mater, and instead enrolled in the online iMSA.