The Howley Finance Academy Launches, Enhancing Academic Offerings and Career Opportunities for Students

For years, finance has been the most popular undergraduate major within the LeBow College of Business. That trend has endured amid periods of economic uncertainty and during times when stock markets are hitting record highs, and LeBow finance graduates continue to build their careers and ascend to the industry’s top echelons.

LeBow students interested in pursuing roles in private equity and investment banking will soon have a new opportunity to distinguish themselves with the launch of the Howley Finance Academy, established through a $550,000 commitment from The Howley Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization led by Drexel alumnus and trustee W. Nicholas (Nick) Howley ’75, his wife Lorie and their daughter Meg Howley ’10.

Starting with its inaugural cohort of students this fall, the Academy will enhance the undergraduate student experience at LeBow by providing in-depth, co-curricular training in finance in preparation for careers at top firms in the fields of private equity and investment banking.

“I’m enthused to sponsor this new initiative in the LeBow College of Business,” says Howley, who is founder and board chairman of TransDigm Group Inc., one of the largest-valued public (New York Stock Exchange-listed) businesses in the world, as well as co-founder and co-chairman of Perimeter Solutions, the largest NYSE-listed provider of wildfire control products and services. “Our performance goal here is straightforward: we expect to have significantly more students get co-op positions, and then full-time jobs, in private equity and investment banking.”

“Ultimately, the Academy will create a clearly demonstrable track record of Drexel graduates working and thriving in these areas of finance.”

After applying and receiving a conditional acceptance, students will complete several modules through Wall Street Prep, an industry-standard online training program, before officially enrolling as Howley Finance Fellows. Through two newly-created courses on financial modeling and on private equity and investment banking, along with additional instruction and networking with LeBow alumni and other industry professionals, Fellows will develop solid quantitative skills and an advanced understanding of market fundamentals

Gaining this experience early in their undergraduate studies will put students on track to pursue internships and other experiences foundational to careers in private equity, investment banking and other related sectors.

Applications for fall 2025 are open to second-year students; in subsequent years, applications will open to first-year students during spring term. Additionally, those who excel as Fellows will be designated as Howley Finance Senior Fellows ahead of graduating from LeBow.

Dean’s Industry Fellow and Professor of Finance David Becher, PhD, who will lead the Academy as academic director, has maintained contact with a large group of LeBow alumni over the years, and he notes that alumni working in these sectors are excited to support the growth of the Academy and its students while emphasizing the hard work and discipline that these internships and jobs require.

“The program is meant to be rigorous, and we’re looking for students who want that kind of experience and who, above all, are dedicated and willing to work hard,” he says. “Top companies in private equity and investment banking receive tens of thousands of applications for a limited number of internships each year, and so students who are looking to stand out have to be willing to go the extra mile.”

“With the demand we’re seeing on the student side, and the willingness from our alumni working in finance to assist with co-op positions and to draw on their networks, there’s clearly a strong base for us to build from.”

Applications for the first cohort of Howley Finance Fellows are open now through Friday, Oct. 3. Interested students will need to submit a transcript, a resume, answers to several open-response questions and contact information for a professional or academic reference.