Stetson’s School of Business Administration is soft launching its new Investment Center this month, with plans to roll out formal integration in spring 2027.

Designed to augment the success of the existing Roland George Investments Program, the Investment Center will offer students hands-on education and mentorship in competitive realms such as finance, investing, wealth management and data analytics — all in alignment with the university’s Hatter Ready initiative of experiential learning and Forward Together Strategic Priorities Framework to advance from “Florida Gem” to “National Treasure.”

Students will additionally earn certification credentials in Bloomberg and FactSet software, two leading data terminals used globally by financial institutions. 

“It should translate, over time, to a more engaged body of students and to more placements in excellent jobs coming out of college,” said Matthew Imes, PhD, director of the Investment Center and the Roland George Investments Program.

Post-commencement, graduates of the Investment Center program will “bring a sharp [and] competitive, teamwork-oriented framework to the firms they are interviewing with and being hired by,” Imes said. “This gives them a significant advantage in their early-stage and later-stage career opportunities.”

The center will feature a four-year progressive education model tailored to students through each year of their undergraduate experience.

During their first year, students will have the opportunity to join the Finance Club as an exploratory, non-committal gateway to the program, along with taking a supplemental Finance FSEM. 

Then, a sophomore cohort will be selected in which students will gain access to real-world capital market experience, alumni networking events and a Miami firm visit. Resumé polishing and mock interviews will also be offered by select alumni.

Incoming juniors will interview for admission into up to two of four programs offered: the Roland George Investments Program, with a focus on public market investing; the Hatter Angels Investment Program, with a focus on venture capital and private market investments; the Certified Financial Planning program, with a focus on wealth management; and a new Quantitative program centered on analytics.

As seniors, students will form a leadership body known as trustees. They will spend their final year at the center as mentors for first-year, sophomore and junior students, leading career prep workshops and conducting mock interviews. 

“So they’re giving back — they’re making their mark on these programs and on the center. They’re helping us take the center in a direction that keeps us at the cutting edge of what’s going on among student-managed investment programs,” Imes said. “It’s incredibly rewarding and they get such value out of interacting with the next generation.”

Jude Drake, a senior enrolled in the Roland George Investments Program, shared high hopes for the soon-to-launch Investment Center. 

“If the Investment Center existed when I was a first year, I can’t imagine where I would be now as a senior,” Drake said. “Not only do you get exposure to other students who are interested in the same things you are, but you also get exposure to careers once you graduate.”

Dietre Griesinger, also a senior, agreed. “Going into the workforce after that, you make so many connections throughout the programs that I don’t think you would get without it,” she said. “It will be a great building block for the years to come.”

On Griesinger’s latter statement, Drake concurred on what the Investment Center will mean long-term for Stetson’s legacy.

“I think this is going to be a game-changer for Stetson.”

For those interested, the center is hosting a Welcome Event on Sept. 11 at 11:15 a.m. in Room 108 at the Lynn Business Center. This informal session is open to all majors as an initial step in not just a rewarding experience, but one that will equip them for prestigious careers.

–Breanna Gergen