Wall Street Scholars Program
The Wall Street Scholars Program (WSSP) is an elite, student-led community dedicated to launching University of Arizona students into careers in high finance. In partnership with the Eller Finance Department and our alumni network, we bridge the gap between academic theory and industry. Through high-intensity technical training, professional etiquette coaching, and thoughtful mentorship, WSSP provides the competitive edge necessary to land revenue-generating internships at the world’s top-tier financial institutions.
In years past, we have successfully placed students in the following firms:
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Wall Street Scholars Program Newsletter
Enjoy the latest issue WSSP newsletter featuring highlights from the 2025 - 2026 academic year and more.
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WSSP Newsletter |
Program Structure
Elective Course | 3 Units | Fall (Sophomores) & Spring (Freshmen)
While not formally connected to WSSP, FIN 417 is a pathway for students to determine if a career in Investment Banking or Capital Markets is right for them. The class explores careers and topics in high finance through lectures, activities, and guest speakers.
Access: Open to Eller first-year students (spring semester) and sophomores (fall semester) via application and interview.
Requirement: Not mandatory for WSSP, but highly recommended for fundamental knowledge and discovery.
The first stage of WSSP focuses on fundamental financial literacy and career awareness. Analysts build the groundwork needed to choose a specific track, begin technical training, and receive guidance on gaining professional experiences before sophomore year.
Ideal Candidate: Strong academic record, a habit of excellence, interest in financial markets, and a drive to pursue high finance.
Commitment: 10–15 hours per week
Format: group lectures, team-based projects and presentations, coffee chats and mock interviews with Scholars
Application: Students may apply during three recruitment cycles during their first year (fall, winter, spring)
The goal of the Associate Level is to prepare students to secure a junior summer internship. Students specialize in one of two tracks: Investment Banking or Capital Markets.
The Investment Banking (IB) track prepares students for IB and related buyside roles, with a focus on corporate finance, strategy, and valuation.
The Capital Markets track prepares students for roles in Sales & Trading, Equity Research, Asset Management and Private Wealth Management, with a focus on deep market knowledge, investing fundamentals, and risk management.
Training: Master in-depth financial concepts, professional networking, and "Early Insight" program applications
Commitment: 15–20 hours per week
Format: group lectures, progress evaluations, mock interviews, self-guided networking, firm-hosted events in information sessions
Outcome: Secure a junior summer internship
Scholars focus on final career placement and readiness while dedicating themselves as mentors to the next generation of WSSP Analysts and Associates.
Milestones
Securing a seat on Wall Street depends on personal drive. WSSP provides the structure and community; you provide the effort.
Maintain a strong GPA
Explore: Initiate coffee chats with current Scholars and enroll in FIN 417
Engage: Build your network and skills through participation in extracurriculars or part-time jobs
Apply: Join WSSP at the Analyst Level (fall, winter, or spring)
Secure: Meaningful summer internship(s) or professional experience(s)
Apply: Move to WSSP Associate Level (fall)
Network: Build professional network and attend the New York City Networking Trip
Prepare: Develop strong technical knowledge and complete mock interviews
Interview: Most junior summer internship offers are secured during the spring of Sophomore year
Convert: Complete your junior summer internship and secure a full-time offer
Give back: Mentor WSSP Analysts and Associates toward their goals
Level up: Advance technical skill set and prepare to hit the desk running
Application
Firms recruit as early as freshmen year and often wrap up by the end of sophomore year. As a result, new members must join WSSP in their first year (three summers remaining before graduation).
Successful candidates exhibit the following values:
Coachable: eager to learn from feedback and adapt for continuous improvement
Personable: builds rapport with a wide range of people and fosters strong relationships
Persistent: Driven to overcome obstacles and sees failures as growth opportunities
Ambitious: Sets challenging goals and works tirelessly to achieve them
Well-rounded: Possesses a broad range of skills and interests beyond finance
How to Apply:
Applications open each November (for spring semester) and April (for fall semester). Students who apply will interview with the course instructor. For more information, email Jeff Welter (jwelter@arizona.edu).
Applications open fall, winter, and spring. Before applying, students should conduct coffee chats with several WSSP members. The application process consists of a written application, networking events, and interviews.
Available to those who completed the Analyst level. Requires an interview at the beginning of Sophomore year.
Leadership and Contact
Jeff Welter
Director, Wall Street Scholars
jwelter@arizona.edu
Seniors - Student Directors
Matt Maledon ’27, Program Director
Summer 2026 Internship: Alvarez & Marsal, Restructuring Summer Analyst
Insha Khan ’27, Investment Banking Director
Summer 2026 Internship: RBC, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Declan Buss ’27, Sales, Trading & Research Director
Summer 2026 Internship: Truist, Equity Research Summer Analyst
Matthew Benson ’27, Asset & Wealth Management Director
Summer 2026 Internship: J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Summer Analyst
Seniors - Investment Banking Track
Carson Giberson ’27
Summer 2026 Internship: Lincoln International, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Ryan Friedman ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: B. Riley Securities, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Julia Harper ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Centerview Partners, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Tim Lenz ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: HKA Consulting Analyst
Reagan Messner ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Guggenheim, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Adelle Nkeze ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: B. Riley Securities, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Dan Ottesen ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Raymond James, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Will Rohrsheim ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Tasman Capital Partners, Summer Analyst
Annika Solanky ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Summer Analyst
Parham Talakesh ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: North Point, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Seniors - Capital Markets Track
Charles Colonnello ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Founder / Start-Up
Jack Dyer ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Goldman Sachs, Private Wealth Summer Analyst
Roger Dababneh ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Morgan Stanley, Sales & Trading Summer Analyst
Josh Furtek ‘27
Lane Ovenell ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Summer Analyst
Reece Riley ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Goldman Sachs, Private Wealth Summer Analyst
Philimon Yosafat ‘27
Summer 2026 Internship: Goldman Sachs, Equity Research Summer Analyst
Juniors – Investment Banking Track
Luke Bonaimé ’28, Analyst Level Co-Director
Summer 2027 Internship: RBC, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Bijan Razaghi ‘28, Analyst Level Co-Director
Summer 2027 Internship: Greenhill & Co., Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Gavin Boliver ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Raymond James, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Corban Chavez ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Alavarez & Marsal, Restructuring Summer Analyst
Adina Dixon ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: RBC, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Carter Fozard ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Barclays, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Saxon Gerstl ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Deutsche Bank, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Caleb Grommeck ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: FT Partners, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Parneet Kaur ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: RBC, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Ella Mahon ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Meridian Capital, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Kosi Ozoemene ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: TBD
Zoe Portewig ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Deutsche Bank, Investment Banking Summer Analyst
Juniors – Capital Markets Track
Brendan Doebel ‘28, Analyst Level Co-Director
Summer 2027 Internship: BMO Capital Markets, Sales & Trading Summer Analyst
Kaya Nealis ‘28, Analyst Level Co-Director
Summer 2027 Internship: RBC, Sales & Trading Summer Analyst
Dan Hazen ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Summer Analyst
Delal Kochgiri ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Goldman Sachs, Asset Management Summer Analyst
Isaac Llenas ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Blackrock, Trading Summer Analyst
Sintu Mjali ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: TBD
Samuel Ojum ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Goldman Sachs, Equity Research Summer Analyst
Andrew Rogers ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: Goldman Sachs, Asset Management Summer Analyst
Masyn Thielman ‘28
Summer 2027 Internship: J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Summer Analyst
Sophomores – Investment Banking Track
Brady Aman ‘29
Avi Bajaj ‘29
Prithika Chauhan ‘29
Colin Hastings ‘29
Michael Hervey ‘29
Daniel Levine ‘29
Josie Nnaji ‘29
Sajani Patel ‘29
Michael Swerlyk ‘29
Sophomores – Sales, Trading & Research Track
Dylan Duffy ‘29
Nick Lake ‘29
Jenna O’Neil ‘29
Jonah Pemble ‘29
Will Richardson ‘29
Max Starikov ‘29
Sophomores – Asset & Wealth Management Track
Troy Abney ‘29
Talya Apple ‘29
Casey Didrickson ‘29
LJ Donahue ‘29
Katherine Everidge ‘29
Heidi Mick ‘29
Natalia Mota ‘29
Bella Rao ‘29
Thor Turner ‘29
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate? We don't use caps. We admit every student who meets our standards of merit and professional potential. Class sizes typically range between 15-25 students.
Do I have to be a Finance major? No, all majors are welcome, but most WSSP students choose to study finance or a related field. Analytically oriented students may also choose to pursue a dual-degree in math, data science, or related field.
What if I’m not in WSSP? We are here to help. WSSP members and the Eller Professional Development Center provide resources and coaching to all students pursuing these careers.
What does it cost? $0. WSSP is fully funded by alumni and the Finance Department. WSSP students who attend the New York City Networking Trip will have to pay to cover a portion of their travel expenses.
What is the time commitment? Students should treat WSSP as their most important class. Expect 10–15 hours/week as an Analyst and 15–20 hours/week as an Associate.
Should I join other clubs? Yes. We highly recommend the Investments Club & Fund, and Financial Modeling Club to supplement your growth. We encourage you to join any organization where you develop relationships and leadership skills.
Can WSSP guarantee me a job? No. We provide the tools, but your success depends on your work ethic, timing, relationship-building, and performance.
Can WSSP help with "buy side" roles? Yes. While most start on the sell side (Investment Banking), we provide the technical foundation for competitive buy side roles.
What tools does UArizona provide? Students have access to Bloomberg Terminals, a live stock exchange monitor, and free subscriptions to the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s.
Wall Street Scholars
