Fowler College of Business
Finance Department Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Message from Leadership
Dear Donor, On behalf of the Finance Department, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to you for your generosity and support throughout the 2025-26 academic year. It was a privilege to meet several of you in person over the past year. In addition to your generosity, you shared valuable insights into our programs and student-focused initiatives within the department. Student enrollment in the Finance Department has continued to grow, reflecting a strong demand for finance education and the opportunities available to our students. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to providing meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for successful careers in finance and related fields. Thanks to your support, we have been able to achieve the advancements outlined in this report. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without your belief in our mission and your steadfast support. Your contributions are making a lasting impact on our students and faculty alike. We look forward to continuing this journey together in partnership.
Jaemin Kim, Ph.D. Finance Department Chair, Robert and Amy Abramson Professor of Finance
Philanthropy
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward Brian J. Sugrowe Endowed Scholarship for Finance The Brian J. Sugrowe Endowed Scholarship for Finance supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in the Department of Finance within the Fowler College of Business. Scholarship support helps students invest in their education, pursue academic and professional opportunities, and prepare for successful careers in finance. Department of Finance Support The Department of Finance received meaningful philanthropic support. This investment provides flexible resources that enhance the department’s ability to respond to evolving needs, advance student success, strengthen academic programs, and support emerging opportunities.
Students from the Financial Markets Lab
Student Spotlight
Thriving in the Aztec Experience Sasan Ahadian, Class of 2027 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: Fowler College of Business Major: Finance Being a finance student at SDSU for three years has been incredibly transformative. I have developed a strong foundation in financial analysis and principles through my classes, along with leadership and interpersonal skills through my involvement in student organizations like the Finance and Investment Society and the Financial Markets Lab. The combination of my classroom and extracurricular experiences has allowed me to apply and solidify concepts while preparing for my summer internships. Out of all my experiences at SDSU, the Financial Markets Lab has had the greatest impact on me, as it has given me time to grow, develop relationships, and learn countless lessons about leadership, operations, and what it’s like to build something that will last after I graduate. My supportive faculty, dedicated community, and the emphasis on real-world, experiential learning have made my experience as a finance student one-of-a-kind.
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My supportive faculty, dedicated community, and the emphasis on real-world, experiential learning have made my experience as a finance student one-of-a-kind.
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Student Spotlight
Ava Burdo, Class of 2026 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: Fowler College of Business Major: Finance I arrived at SDSU as a transfer student from Santa Rosa Junior College, entering my junior year. Not only was this a new academic experience, but it was also a big step for me personally. Getting plugged into student organizations in the finance major was critical to my development and ultimately a key reason I landed a post-graduation internship at Morgan Stanley. I spent my two years here making the most of every opportunity offered. I was a member of the Finance and Investment Society (FIS), Women in Business (WiB), and the Financial Markets Laboratory (FML). I was even afforded the opportunity to attend an exclusive Girls in VC (GiVC) event at Harvard University. What stands out most when I reflect on my experience is how much experiential learning opportunities like these contributed to both my career and personal development. Attending conferences like GiVC, meeting students with common interests, and learning from professionals through osmosis would have been impossible had I not been so quickly connected to everything the finance program at SDSU has to offer.
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Attending conferences like GiVC, meeting students with common interests, and learning from professionals through osmosis would have been impossible had I not been so quickly connected to everything the finance program at SDSU has to offer.
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Points of Pride
Celebrating Shared Success Statistics of Interest As of Fall 2025, the Department of Finance serves more than 2,100 undergraduate students, making it the second-largest department at SDSU by undergraduate enrollment. Finance is one of the top five majors at SDSU. Recent Highlights The Financial Markets Lab continues to expand experiential learning opportunities for students through stock pitch competitions, real-time market analysis using Bloomberg terminals, and research seminars on current financial topics. As part of the annual Stock Pitch Competition, students work in teams to conduct equity research, analyze financial statements, evaluate market conditions, and develop investment theses before presenting their recommendations to a panel of judges. The experience helps students build technical, analytical, and presentation skills in a realworld investment setting. The Lab remains a hub for hands-on learning and professional development within the Department of Finance. Another notable development this year was the reorganization and reactivation of the Aztec Investment Fund (AIF), a student-led portfolio of financial assets. To support this initiative, a new Aztec Investment Fund course was launched in Fall 2025. The course now operates year-round, including during the summer term, providing students with ongoing opportunities to apply financial concepts in a real-world investment management environment. Students also participated in a visit to BlackRock’s headquarters, where they connected with finance professionals and SDSU alumni working across a variety of roles within one of the world’s largest asset management firms. The experience provided valuable exposure to career pathways, industry trends, and workplace expectations while also offering practical guidance on networking, resume development, and professional growth. By connecting classroom learning with real-world industry experience, the visit helped students gain confidence and insight as they prepare for careers in finance.
Finance Scale
2,100+ Undergrads make Finance SDSU’s second-largest undergraduate department, with hundreds more graduate students.
Faculty and Staff Achievements
Chi Wan, Ph.D. Title: Dennis and Elaine Szeto Endowed Professor College: Fowler College of Business Achievement: Dr. Wan was named the Dennis and Elaine Szeto Endowed Professor, becoming the first newly hired faculty member in the history of the Finance Department to hold an endowed professorship. Dr. Wan has published extensively in top-tier journals, and his research spans corporate finance, financial accounting, investments, textual analysis, and applications of large language models. He brings this same commitment to excellence to his teaching, inspiring and equipping students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Yaoyi Xi, Ph.D. Title: William and Karen Brack Endowed Professor College: Fowler College of Business Achievement: Dr. Xi was named the William and Karen Brack Professor, supporting his continued impact through research, teaching, and community engagement. This year, he published two papers in leading peer-reviewed journals examining issues with practical implications for finance and the broader economy. In the classroom, Dr. Xi prepares students for their careers through real-world cases, consulting-style projects, and opportunities to strengthen their analytical, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Beyond campus, he represented the Fowler College of Business as a panelist at the Coronado Rotary Club’s 2026 Financial Market Forecast, sharing research-based insights on financial market trends with the broader community.
Thank you for your generous support.
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