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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
W. Nicholas (Nick) Howley ‘75, Drexel alumnus and trustee, is the co-founder and chairman of TransDigm Group, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies with an enterprise value of $100 billion. Under his leadership, TransDigm has become widely recognized for its unique approach, operating much like a private equity business in the public markets. TransDigm was founded in 1992, and for its first 16 years, had three major successive private equity fund investors. The company has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 2006.
In addition to his role at TransDigm, Howley is also the co-founder and chairman of Perimeter Solutions, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company and the world’s largest supplier of forest fire prevention products and services. Howley has served on numerous private equity boards. Bratenahl Capital Partners, his family-funded office, is an active investor in a broad range of private equity investments across various industries.
Howley’s leadership and business achievements have been honored nationally. He is a recipient of the Singleton Lifetime CEO Award, a rare distinction previously awarded to John Malone (Liberty Media) and Ken Langone (Home Depot). The award also recognizes mid-career leaders such as the founders of Stripe and DoorDash.
Along with his wife Lorie and their daughter Meg Howley ’10, Nick is the founder of The Howley Foundation, which is dedicated to providing access to high-quality education to those with the ability but not the means to do so. Through the foundation, the Howley family has advanced opportunities for students nationwide by supporting scholarships, access, and specialized educational programs. The foundation currently provides approximately 1500 students with scholarships, including a substantial number of scholarships for Drexel University students.
In addition to serving on the Drexel University Board of Trustees, Howley is also a board member of the Cleveland Clinic, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and St. Joseph’s Preparatory School. Howley graduated from Drexel University in 1975 with a B.S. in Engineering and from Harvard Business School in 1979 with an MBA.