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Thank you for your interest in the Howley Finance Academy. We look forward to hearing from you.
Launched in 2025 through the generosity of W. Nicholas Howley ’75 and The Howley Foundation, the Howley Finance Academy is a selective program designed to prepare LeBow undergraduate students for careers at top firms in private equity, investment banking and private markets.
Through custom coursework, programming and engagement with industry professionals and alumni, students sharpen their quantitative skills, build advanced knowledge of market fundamentals and gain practical experience. The Academy equips participants to stand out in co-op, internship and full-time roles.
The Academy will better position Drexel students to compete for top jobs in the financial sector and, ultimately, create a track record of Drexel graduates working and thriving in private equity and investment banking.
Program Components
Students accepted into the Academy join a cohort-based experience that extends through graduation. Components include:
- Specialized Coursework
Custom sections of finance courses, including:
- Financial Modeling, covering valuation, forecasting, leveraged buyouts and financial data visualization
- Private Equity and Investment Banking, covering each sector’s foundations, mechanics, strategies and metrics as well as other private market transactions
- Educational Modules
- Intensive training, through Wall Street Prep, in financial statement analysis, valuation methods, risk assessment and private equity deal structures
- Preparation for technical and behavioral interview questions
- Experiential Learning
- Applied due diligence and investment memos
- Preparation for technical and behavioral interview questions
- Capstone experience incorporating firm evaluation and strategic recommendations to a panel of industry executives and alumni for potential investment funding
- Industry Integration
- Networking trips to New York and/or visits to regional private equity firms
- Guest speakers and alumni mentorship from leaders at top firms
- Training in financial databases such as Bloomberg and FactSet
- Signature Events
- Speaker panels and supplemental programming open to the broader Drexel student body
- Academy reception to showcase student outcomes and engage industry, students, donors, and alumni
Application and Eligibility
Each year, a select group of high achieving LeBow undergraduates are selected to join the Howley Finance Academy. Admission is competitive, beginning with an inaugural cohort of 15 students, with opportunities for growth as the program expands.
Outcomes and Impact
The Howley Finance Academy provides students with a competitive advantage in the most selective areas of finance.
Howley Finance Fellows:
- Enter interviews with confidence and preparation to stand out from other applicants
- Gain hands-on experience with in-demand skills such as modeling, valuation, and deal analysis
- Build a professional network of alumni and industry leaders committed to their success
- Position themselves for top-tier co-ops, internships, and full-time roles in investment banking, private equity, and other private markets
Howley Finance Fellows
Students selected for the Academy are recognized as Howley Finance Fellows. Those who demonstrate exceptional performance and leadership may be invited to apply for the distinction of Howley Finance Senior Fellow.
About W. Nicholas Howley ’75
