The Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and Investment Banking supports the only truly applied corporate finance MBA program in the nation.
The Wisconsin MBA in corporate finance and investment banking prepares students to see the big picture and to succeed as a financial officer, consultant, or investment banker. The Nicholas MBA program offers students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience working on meaningful corporate finance consulting engagements.
Our corporate partners play a critical role in the distinction of the Nicholas Center. In addition to the Wisconsin MBA Executive Leadership Series, Nicholas students work closely with financial executives through our consulting engagements program and our Board of Advisors.
The board plays a critical role in the success of the Nicholas Center. There are 40 financial executives who currently serve on the board. They are practitioners from financial services/investment banking and consulting firms, as well as corporate officers. This balance is critical for providing our MBA students with the broadest possible exposure and training necessary to become successful business leaders. Specific responsibilities for board members include: assistance in identifying qualified students with desirable skill sets for professionals in the field of corporate finance, providing advice and feedback on curriculum offerings, generating leads for applied projects, participating as classroom guest speakers, and facilitating the placement of students for both summer internships and full-time positions. The board meets on campus once a year to review the progress of the program, provide feedback to students on their current consulting projects, and offer career advice.
The center celebrated its grand opening in 2003. The expansion of the Nicholas Center into its new facilities was made possible by a $6.4 million gift from Milwaukee financier and Wisconsin School of Business graduate Albert “Ab” Nicholas. To the audience of Nicholas students, alumni, and the Board of Advisors, former University of Wisconsin Chancellor John Wiley, and former Wisconsin School of Business Dean Michael Knetter, thanked Ab and Nancy Nicholas for their generous gift.
“Ab Nicholas’ gift will enable the Nicholas Center to function at the highest level of professional education,” Knetter said. “We are extremely pleased that he has chosen to endow this center.”
The new center includes a significantly expanded research and meeting area, high-speed information technology and communications infrastructure, and enhanced database capabilities that assist faculty, students, and industry partners to thoroughly address challenging projects in the area of corporate finance and investment banking.