Three University of Illinois Springfield students earned recognition as finalists in the 2026 Wealth Management Case Competition, organized by Washington University in St. Louis. The competition challenged students to apply financial planning and investment management skills to real-world scenarios.

The UIS team consisted of Mackenzie Billard, team leader, Clay Higginson and Esther Lawal. This marked the first time UIS participated in the competition.

Throughout the competition, students worked through a series of financial planning scenarios, making investment decisions and developing strategies to meet a hypothetical client’s financial goals. Their work included asset allocation, investment performance, retirement and education planning, unexpected expenses and the potential effects of midterm elections and economic conditions.

The UIS team was selected as a finalist based on its responses to weekly assignments, earning the opportunity to present its recommendations before a panel of academic and industry experts.

On Oct. 30, the students traveled to Washington University in St. Louis to deliver their final presentation. The team summarized its investment strategy, financial planning decisions and results, followed by questions from the judges. Although UIS did not finish among the top five teams, the students earned recognition for advancing to the final round.

“I'm incredibly proud of our students for reaching the finals in our first year participating,” said Serkan Karadas, PNC Professor in Banking & Finance. “They applied what they've learned in the classroom to real-world financial challenges and gained valuable experience that will help prepare them for their careers.”

The event also provided students with opportunities to connect with representatives from major financial services firms, including Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs Private Wealth and Edward Jones. These interactions allowed students to explore potential internships and career opportunities in wealth management.

The team's achievement highlights the experiential learning opportunities available through the UIS College of Business and Management, where students apply classroom knowledge to practical business challenges and build professional connections.