Experiential Learning

The Nittany Lion Fund, Wall Street Boot Camp, & Leveraged Lion Capital at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business offer students hands-on experience in equity, fixed income, & financial services careers.

Nittany Lion Fund

The Nittany Lion Fund (NLF) is a student managed investment fund (SMIF) in Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, where each semester, 40 undergraduate students manage an equity portfolio of over $12.5 MM AUM for accredited investors.

In conjunction, students participate in an educational curriculum about stock valuation and portfolio management, attend presentations from industry professionals about financial topics and career insights, and enter various stock pitch competitions. Since its inception in 2005, the Nittany Lion Fund has been an invaluable experience for students at Penn State.

In the 2023-24 academic year, students welcomed guests from Goldman Sachs, TD Cowen, BDT & MSD, Bank of America, and many other firms to present on careers at their respective firms.

The fall and spring Wall Street trips included visits to Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, Goldman Sachs, Incline Equity Partners, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and UBS.

Leveraged Lion Capital

Leveraged Lion Capital (LLC) is the nation's first student-run syndicated loan and high-yield bond paper portfolio. The organization actively manages a $125 million paper portfolio via a hands-on approach by researching, analyzing, and pitching speculative grade debt.

Founded in 2017, the organization seeks to educate undergraduate students about the complex world of fixed income markets. LLC utilizes strategic partnerships with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Loan Syndications and Trading Association, and S&P Global to receive exclusive market data.

Additionally, LLC participates in a semi-annual Wall Street Trip organized by the executive board and LLC alumni. The organization has visited various firms, such as Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, TD Securities, UBS, and Wells Fargo.

Wall Street Boot Camp

Wall Street Boot Camp is a program initiated in 2007 by Robin Stevens and Professor Randy Woolridge. It is designed as a training program to better prepare students who aspire to careers in the highly competitive field of financial services. The program has been highly successful in serving dual purposes. It provides a true glimpse of the dedication and focus needed to succeed in a career on Wall Street. This preview allows for the candidate field to be narrowed to only the most aspiring individuals. Also, the program’s targeted approach ensures that students completing the program will be sufficiently prepared to utilize the Smeal network of volunteers.

Bonus Boot Camps

Bonus Boot Camps are sessions, open to all students, presented by Wall Street professionals on a wide range of topics relevant to the financial services industry. Presentations have covered such topics as private equity, venture capital, real estate investing, Fin Tech, fixed income trading, wealth management in a family office, innovation and global currency to name a few. Bonus sessions are advertised on the Smeal College list serves as well as through various student organizations. Ads announcing sessions are also placed on the digital screens located in the Business Building. Reservations are required due to limited seating with instructions on how to RSVP on the ad. Sessions are typically held in the Rogers Family Trading Room.

Corporate Finance Boot Camp

The Corporate Finance Boot Camp is an intensive program crafted to equip Finance majors with essential technical, analytical, and presentation skills. Our goal is to build a community of highly motivated, hardworking, and knowledgeable students, working together throughout the academic year to advance their professional goals.

What Students Gain:

  • Technical Proficiency: Develop expertise in financial statement analysis, financial modeling, and valuation.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with Penn State alumni holding established positions in Corporate Finance, recruiters from diverse industries, Smeal faculty, and fellow students.
  • Exclusive Events: Participate in weekly events restricted to Boot Camp students, offering unique access to industry professionals and insiders.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to student success. We coach on a variety of topics, ranging from networking and resume-building to mastering the intricacies of Corporate Finance. This experience will enhance academic success and prepare students for the dynamic challenges of the professional world.

Fall 2024 Scheduled Speakers:

  • Chief Executive Officer at J.D. Capital Management LLC
  • Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at DuPont
  • Senior Vice President at Capital One
  • Head of Strategic Enablement at Vanguard
  • Treasurer at Nasdaq
  • Corporate Vice President at Charles River Labs
  • Chief Financial Officer at HOP Energy
  • Chief Financial Officer at Dianthus Therapeutics
  • Senior Vice President at Citi
  • Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations at JBT Corporation
  • Managing Director at BNY Mellon

Professor Delina Agnosteva heads the Corporate Finance Boot Camp.