UC Investments, which manages a portfolio of $152 billion for the University of California, is bringing the world of finance and investing closer for demographically diverse students on UC campuses across the state through a new initiative: the UC Investments Academy. The initiative reflects UC Investments’ broader mission to not only manage resources effectively but also to invest in the future of its students by offering opportunities that bridge the gap between higher education and professional career pathways.
The Academy is designed to educate, motivate, and professionally train UC students for careers in investments, particularly for students who may not otherwise have direct exposure to the world of finance. By creating an accessible entry point into this highly competitive field, the Academy seeks to level the playing field for students of all backgrounds. The program exposes students to key financial concepts, provides opportunities to engage with successful professionals, and demonstrates how determination and preparation can lead to rewarding careers.
A recent presentation on the Riverside campus marked an important milestone for the initiative. It was the Academy’s 10th speaker event, but the first held at UC Riverside and the first to feature a live audience. This event introduced students to successful investment professionals from global investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, which oversees $60 billion in assets under management. For UCR, the event was particularly significant because it highlighted how the School of Business is partnering with outside organizations to provide students with career-relevant experiences.
“Three successful investment professionals provided inspiration by telling how they overcame odds to break into the real estate investment field and thrive,” said Craig Huie, investment director for UC Investments. “We believe exposure to these investment professionals provides tremendous value to students.” Their stories underscored the importance of resilience and highlighted the different paths that can lead to success in finance, demonstrating that there is no single route to building a career in investment.
UCR School of Business Professor Jean Helwege, Anderson Chair in Finance, who helped organize and facilitate the presentation at UCR, emphasized the significance of the event for students. “Many of our students are from lower-income families that do not have knowledge of finance or connections to the industry, so it was also a great opportunity to hear about the journey of someone who came before them that has a similar background,” Helwege said. Her words reinforced how vital representation and accessibility are in motivating students who may feel uncertain about whether they belong in competitive industries like finance.
Huie designed and launched the UC Investments Academy in 2022 at the direction of UC Investments CIO Jagdeep Singh Bachher. What began with 100 students at UC Merced has since expanded to campuses across the UC system, including Davis, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, and now Riverside. With a goal of reaching 10,000 students within five years, the program remains free for UC students, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to participation.
At UCR, students interested in participating in the Academy can connect with Professor Helwege or Professor Greg Richey for more information and guidance. Beyond the speaker events, students will also have opportunities to attend seminars and workshops that provide deeper insight into investment career pathways. In particular, the Cerberus team is offering two additional seminars this spring titled Exploring Pathways in Real Estate, scheduled for May 15 in Manhattan Beach and May 16 in San Francisco. These seminars provide students with the chance to continue learning directly from experienced professionals and to expand their networks in real estate finance.
The UC Investments Academy illustrates how universities can create meaningful partnerships that prepare students for life after graduation. By combining academic instruction with direct exposure to practitioners, the program equips students with both the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue careers in finance. For many UC students, including those at Riverside, this initiative opens a door to opportunities that may have once felt out of reach.
UC Investment Academy Overview
