Investment Management Academy (IMA)
Manage real investments. Develop institutional investment skills. Build a career in finance.
The Investment Management Academy (IMA), one of the Stanley C. Golder Academies at Gies College of Business, provides a select group of students with hands-on experience managing more than $1.5 million in assets on behalf of the University of Illinois Foundation. Guided by faculty and industry professionals, students gain the technical, analytical, and leadership skills expected of investment professionals.
Why Choose the Investment Management Academy?
Unlike a traditional classroom experience, IMA places students in the role of investment analysts responsible for researching companies, evaluating investment opportunities, and helping manage a live investment portfolio.
Students graduate with practical experience that prepares them for careers in asset management, equity research, wealth management, investment banking, and related fields.
What You'll Do
As a member of the Investment Management Academy, you'll gain experience in every stage of the investment process.
- Conduct industry and company research
- Build financial models and valuation analyses
- Present investment recommendations
- Perform investment due diligence
- Execute and monitor portfolio trades
- Evaluate portfolio performance
"The Investment Management Academy taught me to how to better communicate with financial professionals, which was significant as I pursued job opportunities."
Danielle Stumpf
Accountancy '19Learn Using Industry-Standard Tools
Students develop professional-level analytical skills using the same platforms trusted by investment firms worldwide, including: Bloomberg, Capital IQ, and Morningstar. These resources allow students to produce institutional-quality research while developing the technical skills employers expect.
Learn from Industry Leaders
IMA students benefit from mentorship from experienced investment professionals and a strong alumni network. Faculty directors and alumni provide feedback on investment research, presentation skills, financial modeling, and career preparation throughout the program.
Career Preparation
Students regularly connect with professionals through networking events, company visits, guest speakers, and mentoring opportunities.
Career paths include:
- Equity research
- Private credit
- Private equity
- Investment management
- Capital markets
- Hedge Funds
- Valuation & Advisory
- Sales & Trading
Meet the Directors
Richard Excell
Richard Excell brings decades of institutional investment experience spanning hedge funds, global equity portfolios, foreign exchange, and derivatives markets. Prior to joining Gies, he served as Senior Portfolio Manager at Wolverine Asset Management and previously held leadership roles at Satori Investment Partners and UBS.
Michael Vitek
Michael Vitek combines extensive industry experience with classroom instruction in financial analysis and valuation. Before joining Gies, he held investment management and research leadership positions at Mesirow, Fiduciary Management Associates, Allstate, and State Farm.