Roland George Investments Program

Students in Stetson University's pioneering Roland George Investments Program manage a portfolio made up of approximately $2.9 million in stocks and bonds in real money. The student-directed program is one of the nation's first and largest, in terms of dollars under management.

Roland George students develop their own investment goals, objectives and criteria for managing their portfolio. While many seasoned investors have lost significant sums over the past several years in a volatile market, the program's students have produced outstanding returns.

What's their secret? It's really a combination of investment discipline and Stetson University's basic philosophy of investment education. Students function as an investment management firm would, where a complete investment policy is established and revised as needed.

Faculty

Our faculty includes:

• K. C. Ma, Ph.D, University of Illinois; Chartered Financial Analyst; investing, financial market behavior; director of Roland George Investments Program and Institute, president of the Association of Student Managed Investment Programs (A.S.M.I.P.)
• James E. Mallett, Ph.D, Wayne State University; personal finance, investments; director of the Summer Innsbruk Program

Special Features

The Roland George Investments Program is open to select students who, for two semesters, step into the "real world" of portfolio management where they work with real money, make real mistakes, learn from those mistakes and enjoy their victories. Individual security selections are researched using fundamental tools and data services provided by Bloomberg, Bridge and Baseline.

Students must defend their recommendations to other students and an investments committee, dominated by students who function much as the senior strategy group of an investment management firm. Their goal is to earn a return that funds the acquisition of special systems and software for the program, as well as to meet operating expenses.

Students do their research in a state-of-the-art research room. The room includes a real-time ticker and data wall, televisions and computers that allow for cutting-edge research.

Course Information

Class size is limited to 20 students and is taught by a visiting professor who has had actual experience in money management. Students join the two-class program in their senior year after completing an investments course.

Equity fund management is an applied course in equity analysis and portfolio management. Students set objectives, strategy and selection criteria for the Roland George Growth Fund. Securities are analyzed and proposed to the trustees. Students may participate as trustees, team captains and research assistants.

Fixed income fund management is an applied course in fixed income analysis and advanced topics in portfolio management. Holdings of the Roland George Income Fund are analyzed and changes are prepared based on objectives, criteria and strategy set by the class. Numerous presentations, research papers and meetings are required with an open-ended class schedule.

Internship Opportunities

A limited number of internships are available, as well as faculty help in taking the first steps toward earning Chartered Financial Analyst certification and Series 7 licensure.

Career Opportunities

Roland George students have gone on to be money managers, security analysts and brokers with leading banks, brokerage houses and money management firms. Students have also gone on to graduate programs in law, finance, mathematical finance, business and biotechnology.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Roland George Merit Scholars program offers cash study opportunities for students interested in investments.