The Center for Asset Management

Darden will take a bold step to dramatically build its reputation in investment management and related fields by creating the Center for Asset Management.  This center of excellence will produce leading research and provide active, hands-on learning experiences for Darden students. 

Currently, Darden has a firm foundation on which to build:

  • the finance faculty is composed of recognized scholars and esteemed teachers

  • Darden Capital Management, the student-managed investment portfolio, is one of the largest programs of its kind with assets exceeding $6 million

  • On average, 40% of Darden graduates enter the financial services field and many rise to leadership positions within the profession

  • University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO) is a model for institutional investment management

  • The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute is located in Charlottesville, offering a natural conduit for communicating with the investment community.

The Center for Asset Management will be able to:

  • Facilitate every stage of the research process, including idea generation, methodology development, data collection, analysis, writing, publication and public relations;

  • Provide the technology infrastructure necessary for developing market-facing research and an enhanced curriculum, including video-conferencing and video-recording, of Darden’s state-of-the-art lead in the design of digital teaching materials, and furnishing study group rooms with advanced graphic display equipment;

  • Support investment management research, including projects involving faculty and practitioners;

  • Support case writing and research summaries;

  • Develop and integrate new teaching materials into the MBA curriculum;

  • Host an annual conferences on the Darden grounds and in major financial centers;

  • Sponsor seminars at Darden each year led by researchers and practitioners; and,

  • Oversee Darden Capital Management; provide analytical tools, such as Bloomberg with Excel Add-in and Factset, to Darden Capital Management fund managers; and manage events including stock pitch contests and speaker series.