Applications have now closed.
Students will be notified of admissions decisions on March 27.

Lemma Senbet Fund

Real-world learning. Job market return.

Apply now

Do you want to learn about financial topics such as:

  • Portfolio management theory and practice
  • Security screening and selection
  • Economic and industry analysis
  • Corporate qualitative and financial analysis
  • Valuation analysis
  • Trading strategies

The Senbet Fund provides members with skills and knowledge highly coveted by corporate recruiters, along with enhanced opportunities to network with industry professionals, use financial tools such as Reuters, Bloomberg, and First Call, and gain real-life market experience. It is a year-round, advanced course that was founded in 2006 to give undergraduate students an experiential learning experience in portfolio management and equity analysis. The goal of the student team, which includes two portfolio managers and 10 equity analysts, is to make long-term investment decisions to appreciate the fund’s value. Additionally, students learn from reviewing the results of the decisions they make, determining which strategies to replicate and which strategies to avoid in the future.

Modeled on the pioneering Mayer Fund at the Smith School, the Senbet Fund has the long-term performance goal of outpacing the appreciation of the S&P 500 on a risk-adjusted basis. Working for the Senbet Fund can be as demanding as a first job while giving finance majors a competitive edge during the recruiting season.

Read about the Senbet Fund:

Sarah Kroncke the faculty champion for this program.

Curriculum: One-Year Program

  • Fall – BMGT443 (if not already completed)
  • Fall – BMGT449F (Senbet Fund Course)
  • Spring – BMGT449F (Senbet Fund Course)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a declared finance major.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Completion of MATH220/140, BMGT220, 221, 230, ECON200 & 201.
  • BMGT343 should be completed prior to entering the program.
  • Completion or concurrent enrollment in BMGT443
  • Recommended courses: BMGT310, ECON305/306, and ECON330 or BMGT341.
  • While completion of MATH220 Elementary Calculus I is required, MATH140 & 141 Calculus I and II are preferred. MATH coursework beyond MATH220/141 is a plus.
  • Requires a two-semester commitment from Summer Session II to May of next year.

Questions? Contact smithfellows@umd.edu.

Class of 2023

Ethan Selko

Ethan Selko
Portfolio Manager of Markets and External Relations

Richard Qiao

Richard Qiao
Portfolio Manager of Performance

Brendan Hegarty

Brendan Hegarty
Consumer Discretionary Analyst

Kayla Malone

Kayla Malone
Communication Services Analyst

Rodrigo Ferreira

Rodrigo Ferreira
Consumer Staples Analyst

Graham Haederle

Graham Haederle
Energy & Utilities Analyst

Megan Belliveau

Megan Belliveau
Financials & Real Estate Analyst

Zach Snow

Zach Snow
Financials & Real Estate Analyst

C. Atticus Leibman

C. Atticus Leibman
Healthcare Analyst

Michael Grainger

Michael Grainger
Industrials & Materials Analyst

Ara Brogan

Ara Brogan
Information Technology Analyst

William Chen

William Chen
Information Technology Analyst

Contact Us

The Senbet Fund welcomes questions from prospective students and interested parties. Please e-mail us at rhsmith-senbetfund@umd.edu.

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