On May 4, members of the USC Marshall School of Business Student Investment Fund (SIF) and Undergraduate Student Investment Fund (USIF) convened for their annual meeting and to celebrate SIF’s 40th anniversary.
Every year since its inception in 1986, SIF AND USIF students gain firsthand experience in contemporary investment and portfolio theory by managing a portion of USC’s endowment, taking into account valuation of assets, company and sector research, and risk optimization. Today, SIF and USIF students oversee approximately $21.5 million in assets with returns supporting $210,000 in scholarships.
Suh-Pyng Ku, professor of clinical finance and business economics and director of the Center for Investment Studies, leads the seminars. She believes SIF offers students a chance to accrue real-world experience leading a major financial fund.
“The SIF and USIF curriculum provides students with a unique opportunity to manage real money, conduct in-depth security research, and develop independent investment strategies,” Ku said.
Over the years, Ku explained the program has grown from one fund to five, expanding the number of admitted students, and substantially increasing the size of its funds. The professor says these developments prepare cohorts for the ever-shifting landscape of modern financial management.
“The investment universe has expanded to include public equities, fixed income instruments, exchange-traded funds, and derivatives (in particular, call options), across both domestic and international markets,” Ku explained. “There is also increased diversity in both the intellectual perspectives and professional experiences of student managers, supported by a disciplined investment framework focused on long-term risk-adjusted returns.”
Outside of seminars, SIF students attain firsthand experience with industry trips to San Francisco and traveled to New York City as part of the VanEck Travel Scholars. Through these opportunities, members have the chance to network with alumni and professionals in financial management and investment banking.
According to Ku, the program ensures cohorts can apply SIF lessons after graduation, whether through a position in fund management or in a different sector entirely.
“The program offers a rigorous, hands-on experience in portfolio management, complemented by direct engagement with industry professionals both inside and outside the classroom through speaker series, special events, and class treks to major financial centers,” Ku said.
Students see the program as a key stepping stone to professional success, allowing them to accumulate new skills, connect with industry mentors, and gain a competitive edge in fund management and investment.
