Spring Update

Courses

DFE's spring course lineup combined rigorous economic and policy analysis with practical, industry-focused learning. Students studied key economic topics (e.g., Housing and the Economy, Monetary Policy, and Emerging Markets) and explored contemporary issues with offerings on AI’s impact on work and finance, machine learning applications, and climate investing. Practitioner-led courses provided exposure to fields like private equity, hedge funds, and real estate.

View the Spring 2026 courses.

Students seated in auditorium paying attention

DFE Steering Committee: Tracking AI's Impact on Early Careers

At the annual spring meeting of DFE's Steering Committee, young alumni discussed the ways AI is shaping their financial markets roles. The panel informed an ongoing conversation about how DFE can help students become responsible, adept users of AI and develop critical thinking skills that cannot be outsourced.

The DFE Steering Committee brings together more than 40 alumni and parents who play an integral role in advancing the center through their expertise, student engagement, and sustained support.

A group of students sit at desks in a classroom, facing several presenters standing at the front near a chalkboard and a projected slide

Programs and Events

Duke in New York Financial Markets & Institutions: Executive Director John Caccavale and Research Director Tim Bollerslev taught 16 sophomores in New York City this spring. In addition to taking courses, the students visited 15 firms, were mentored by young alumni, and heard guest speakers from across the industry.

This is the last year Duke in New York will take place in the spring semester. Starting in 2027, the program will be offered as a summer program. More info will be shared in our Year in Review newsletter this summer.

PE Recruiting Prep Program: Ten alumni working in private equity led a hands-on workshop for seniors in March (pictured above). Participants worked through technical exercises and practiced interview questions and case studies, with alumni providing guidance and feedback throughout the day.

Finance in Conversation: In other extracurricular programs, students examined economic events past and present. Lecturing Fellow Lee Reiners led a discussion of Andrew Ross Sorkin's bestseller 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History—and How It Shattered a Nation for the semester's Finance Book Club. In the Markets Discussion Group, Fuqua professor Mike Aguilar helped students go deeper than the headlines of current global events.

Digital Assets at Duke Conference: DFE and the Duke Pratt School of Engineering co-hosted the annual DA@D conference in early February. Industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers gathered for two days of events focused on the evolving landscape of digital assets, regulation, and financial innovation. Sessions explored topics ranging from accounting and taxation to tokenization and blockchain security.

First-year outreach sessions: The DFE Student Advisory Committee hosted the Demystifying Finance Series, introducing first-year students to industry roles and the recruiting process. DFE also partnered with the Duke Career Center for its annual finance information session, highlighting the variety of campus resources and activities available to students exploring careers in finance.

Internship readiness panel: To close out the semester, seniors with experience in investment banking, sales & trading, and consulting shared practical advice with juniors preparing for their summer internships.

Four people sit side by side on a stone bench in front of a brick-and-stone wall, facing the camera, with the text “2025–2026 DFE Leadership Award Winners” displayed above them

Senior Honors

In April, DFE was pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 DFE Leadership Award: Class of 2026 members Michael Zhou, Lilla Timperman, Athena Yeung, and Vipul Nadimpalli (pictured above, from left). The award is given in recognition of their outstanding contributions as leaders and mentors in the Duke undergraduate finance community.

Read about the winners, and watch this video tribute to them made by fellow students.

Aerial view of Duke East Campus with crowds of students spelling out 2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Through courses, extracurriculars, and advising, DFE engaged with nearly a quarter of the Class of 2026, over 400 of Duke's newest alumni. As they launch careers in finance, consulting, technology, and beyond, we look forward to seeing them become leaders and mentors for future generations of Duke students.