I am honored to serve as the new chair of the Finance Department as of the 2024–2025 Academic Year. On behalf of the Finance Department, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to you for your generosity and continued support.
It’s been an exciting and transformative year. With steady, signifcant growth in student enrollment, the Finance Department reached a milestone of 2,000 students in Fall 2024—making it the largest department in the Fowler College of Business. The overall student enrollment in the Fowler College of Business now exceeds 9,000 students, accounting for about one-fourth of the total SDSU student population and continuing its dominant presence at San Diego State University.
Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to make several advancements outlined in this report. None of these accomplishments would be possible without your belief in our mission and your steadfast support.
Please know that your contributions are making a lasting and meaningful impact on our students and faculty alike. We look forward to continuing this journey together in partnership.
Jaemin Kim, Ph.D.
Robert and Amy Abramson Professor of Finance Fowler College of Business
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward
Finance Department Faculty Fund
The Finance Department received a signifcant gift supporting faculty excellence through salary supplements as well as hiring lecturers to support faculty in conducting research and acquiring data.
Terry Atkinson Endowed Professorship in Finance
The ongoing support of the Terry L. Atkinson Endowed Professorship in Finance helps the Finance Department attract and retain outstanding faculty who will guide our students to success.
Class of 2025 Graduates
Thriving in the Aztec Experience
Lucas Bellig, Class of 2025
Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: Fowler College of Business
Major: Finance
As a fnance major, I took full advantage of opportunities ofered by the College, while building a strong foundation through internships and extracurricular leadership. These experiences gave me the tools and confdence to take the next step in my professional journey.
The Partrick-Clayes Center for Career Development was one of the most impactful resources. Résumé workshops, networking events, and job fairs helped me strengthen my application materials and feel confdent in professional settings. I attended several career fairs and made connections that proved invaluable in securing internships. The College fosters engagement and ambition, and the support I received from advisors and faculty made me feel encouraged throughout my time at SDSU.
Faculty in my fnance and accounting courses pushed me to think critically, challenge assumptions, and solve problems with creativity and discipline. Their support and expectations motivated me to be a better student and future professional.
I am grateful for everything I learned and experienced at SDSU. I began a full-time role as an inside sales consultant for the San Jose Sharks in July 2025.
The [Fowler College of Business] fosters engagement and ambition, and the support I received from advisors and faculty made me feel encouraged throughout my time at SDSU.
Celebrating Shared Success
Statistics of Interest
Among the graduating class of 2025, fnance was the third most popular degree—up from ffth in 2024.
Recent Highlights
Our premier Financial Markets Lab (FML) has been revamped, reenergized, and is continually undergoing renovation. In the fall, we focused on strengthening team cohesion, launching FML’s LinkedIn page and planning new lab services centered around Bloomberg certifcations. In the spring, we expanded our team and launched three successful student programs—a stock pitch course, a research project on tarifs, and a trading competition—designed to provide hands-on experience and boost students’ career readiness through practical certifcations.
The SDSU team celebrated a signifcant win at the 15th Annual NAIOP University Challenge on May 1, 2025, outperforming teams across Southern California. SDSU’s participation was sponsored by The Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate, with mentorship from Professor Anurag Mehrotra and advisement by industry expert Bryan Clark at JLL Capital Markets. The competition challenged students to create the “highest and best use” for a real development site in San Diego County, requiring detailed proposals addressing fnancing, sustainability, market conditions, transit access, community impact, and investment potential. SDSU’s undergraduate real estate team delivered a standout, mixed-use development plan that combined residential, commercial, and community spaces. Their proposal earned high praise from a panel of nine senior commercial real estate professionals for its innovative design, cultural sensitivity, and strong fnancial feasibility—ultimately securing SDSU the top title in this nationally recognized real estate competition.
Academic Momentum
Experiential Learning
Finance rose in popularity among the Class of 2025, becoming the third most common degree— climbing two spots from its ffth-place ranking in 2024.
SDSU students earned top honors at the NAIOP Challenge and launched hands-on fnance programs—boosting real-world experience, team cohesion, and career readiness.
Faculty Achievements
Yaoyi Xi, Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor, Finance Department College: Fowler College of Business Achievement: Dr. Yaoyi Xi has been named to the William and Karen Black Endowed Professorship.
Professor Xi’s primary research focuses on the previously unexplored area where national politics interact with corporate fnancial decisions.
His socially impactful research includes: “Political Euphoria and Corporate Disclosures: An Investigation of CEO Partisan Alignment with the President of the United States” and “Partisan Bias in Mutual Fund Portfolios.”
Ning Tang, Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor, Finance Department College: Fowler College of Business Achievement: Dr. Ning Tang received the Most Infuential Faculty Award, selected by graduating outstanding student Alondra Marquez Escamilla (a graduate business student with a concentration in fnancial and tax planning).
Professor Tang has been researching and teaching in the areas of personal fnancial planning and fnancial literacy.
