Courtesy of Bethune-Cookman University
Bethune-Cookman University continues to produce top-tier talent, and two of its students, OliviaGwin and Kennedy Jenkins, are proving that Wildcats belong on Wall Street. They arecompleting the prestigious Milken Institute’s HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellows Program, anopportunity designed to increase diversity in the financial services sector and provide HBCUstudents with a clear pathway into the investment industry.
For decades, HBCUs like Bethune-Cookman University have been a wellspring of excellence,producing brilliant minds and strong leaders in financial services. Yet, despite this history,HBCU graduates remain underrepresented in asset management and investment banking.Currently, women- and diverse-owned firms manage just 1.4% of the $82 trillion in U.S. assets,with minimal growth over the past decade.
Bethune-Cookman Students Shaping the Future of FinanceRecognizing the need for real change, the Milken Institute launched the HBCU StrategicInitiative and Fellows Program to create direct pipelines for HBCU students into finance. Thishighly competitive program offers sophomore undergraduate students a rigorous eight-weekcurriculum, professional mentorship, and a summer internship at top financial institutions,preparing them for leadership in the financial industry.
Troy Duffie, Director of Financial Markets at the Milken Institute, highlighted the program’ssuccess and its growing impact:
“The early success of the HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellows Program highlights ourcollective commitment to improving diversity across the financial services sector. Throughlessons learned over the first two cohorts, we recognize that a deeper commitment is required toachieve the better tomorrow we seek.”
A Game-Changing Expansion: More Opportunities for B-CU StudentsWith the program gaining momentum, it is expanding from a one-year initiative to a multi-yearcommitment.
This means:
- Two years of summer practicums that provide valuable hands-on experience.
- A structured pathway leading to a guaranteed full-time job offer in financial services, aslong as students meet program benchmarks.
- Exclusive networking opportunities with the program’s alumni and financial industryleaders.
This year, 20 students from HBCUs across the country—including B-CU’s own Olivia Gwin andKennedy Jenkins—are graduating as part of the program’s second cohort in Washington, DC.This follows the success of the inaugural cohort, which graduated 16 students.Bethune-Cookman Students, Your Time is Now!
For Wildcats who dream of making an impact in finance, this program is an unparalleledopportunity. The next application cycle opens soon, and B-CU faculty and staff are encouragedto spread the word to students who could benefit from this incredible experience.Bethune-Cookman University continues to rise as a leader in producing top financial talent,and Olivia Gwin and Kennedy Jenkins are blazing a trail for future Wildcats to follow. WallStreet is taking notice—Bethune-Cookman students belong at the top.