Finance students at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business recently presented their investment portfolio recommendations to financial industry professionals. The event was part of the Student Managed Investment Fund program, which allows students to gain practical experience in managing real money.
Six teams, each consisting of a principal analyst and several junior analysts, discussed the current state of their investment portfolios, proposed future strategies, and identified risks relevant to their holdings. They delivered their presentations to Chad Delk from JP Morgan Private Bank, Charles Cartwright from Meridian Wealth Management Group, and Jacqueline Reeves from Bryn Mawr Trust.
“There is nothing quite like managing real money,” said Anna Pomeranets, Ph.D., senior instructor in FAU’s department of finance. “It transforms classroom concepts into real-world decisions and gives students something powerful to talk about in interviews.”
The Student Managed Investment Fund was established with an initial contribution of $500,000. This included a $250,000 donation from Dan Davidowitz and Polen Capital Management, LLC (“Polen”), which was matched by the FAU Foundation. The fund is officially named the Polen Capital – Florida Atlantic University Foundation Student Investment Fund.
Students participating in this program are selected through an application process and enroll in a three-credit-hour course focused on investment fund management. Throughout the semester, they make actual financial decisions and conclude by pitching new investment ideas to experienced professionals.
Since its start in December 2023, the fund has achieved a time-weighted rate of return of 47.46% and an alpha of three. Its current value stands at $614,580. The fund aims to create a diversified portfolio that outperforms the S&P 500 index. Students determine asset transactions with guidance from faculty members or volunteers from investment firms.
The College of Business states that this hands-on training helps students secure competitive internships and jobs at major financial institutions.
