Elevating Experiential Learning and Strengthening Student Outcomes
The School of Business proudly announces a powerful new leadership team at the Investment Strategy Institute (ISI). With the appointments of John Niedenberger as Executive Director of the ISI and Angela Kohler as Associate Director and Instructor of Finance—alongside Jennifer Milcarek, Program Director of the ISI & CFP® Certification Education Program—the ISI is entering an exciting new chapter.
Niedenberger, who is both a Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Financial Analyst®, has extensive professional experience managing portfolios and security analysis of institutional accounts including pension and endowment funds, and wealth management. He also has over four decades of teaching experience, including serving as an instructor for the Bank Examiner School at the Federal Reserve Board and holding teaching roles at other colleges. He taught at Duquesne for a decade before his recent appointment.
“In the classroom, I’m able to apply theory to practice and use my industry experience to help students understand the relevance of what they’re learning and where they might go professionally after graduation,” said Niedenberger.
Kohler holds the CFA® designation and brings over 30 years of industry experience in institutional investment management, most recently with Federated Hermes. Her passion for education emerged from training and mentoring equity analysts, which ultimately inspired her transition to higher education. Kohler is dedicated to preparing future finance professionals through robust instruction, practical insights, and industry engagement.
“I love the opportunity to inspire tomorrow’s young finance professionals, and to help their paths by providing rigorous instruction, real-world examples, and practical application of what they’re learning,” said Kohler.
Their appointments further enhance the ISI as a premier student resource for business research and investment analysis. Equipped with 24+ Bloomberg® Terminals, Wharton Research Data Services, Compustat, CRSP, MSCI, Morningstar, StockTrak, KLD, and other leading databases, the ISI provides real-time global market data across asset classes.
Real-World Experience
The ISI is home to the Student-Managed Investment Funds (SMIF) program through the
Asset Management Group @ Duquesne (D.A.M.G.). Students from across Duquesne can join
SMIF and manage nearly $2.2 million. The SMIF program oversees three funds, that include:
- Duquesne Values Fund (~$1.8M): Large-cap stocks selected in alignment with ESG and Spiritan values
- Duquesne Balanced Fund (~$215K): Diversified ETF portfolio across stocks and bonds
- Duquesne Microcap Fund (~$158K): High-potential micro-cap stocks selected using quantitative models
Members of the SMIF program acquire hands-on experience in research, investment strategy, risk management, and professional decision-making.
“The linking of theory to application drew me to the School of Business, especially regarding students gaining real-world investment experience,” said Milcarek. “You wouldn’t go to a chemistry or biology program if they didn’t have a lab. You need to have a space to practice and use the tools.”
Where Faculty and Staff Know Your Name
The ISI, like the rest of the School, prioritizes experiential learning. Students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings through national competitions, networking with industry professionals, and managing real assets. With small class sizes, students receive personalized attention and build meaningful, individualized relationships with faculty.
“The faculty here have one-on-one relationships with students and know them as individuals,” said Kohler. “We make sure they understand the material but also know them as people and care about their well-being along with their academic growth.”
Niedenberger shares this sentiment, adding that “the most satisfying part of this position is seeing students develop professionally and academically and helping to place them in internships and jobs.”
New CFP® Board-Registered Financial Planning Program
The School’s CFP® Board-Registered Financial Planning curriculum is one of only 170
certified undergraduate programs that prepares students to sit for the CFP® exam,
the gold standard in wealth management. Through coursework covering all eight CFP®
certification Principal Knowledge Topics, students are equipped to guide clients in
investments, retirement planning, tax strategy, estate planning, and more. Financial
Planning students benefit directly from ISI resources.
The Future of Finance if Bright
With a full leadership team in place, the ISI is poised to accelerate its growth by
strengthening industry and institutional partnerships. Building on a strong foundation,
the team is focused on deepening long-term relationships that directly enhance the
curriculum and elevate the student experience. As Milcarek noted, “these partnerships don’t just complement a great business degree, they help define
it.”
News Information