"By connecting our students to the university’s endowment investment process, we are combining our students’ passions with our expert faculty to support our educational and financial goals," said Burwell.

The new full credit course, Environmental, Social, and Governance Funds, will feature approximately 35 undergraduate and graduate students researching and evaluating investment opportunities with strong ESG practices. Taught by Kogod faculty members Timothy Timura and Randolph Nordby, the class is open to all majors to engage students of different backgrounds and disciplines. The class will make investment recommendations to the Finance Committee of AU’s Board of Trustees. Once the recommendations are approved by the committee, the investments will be funded within AU’s endowment. Students in the program will also gain valuable knowledge, guidance, and career preparation from the university’s financial advisors at Cliffwater. Morningstar, a leading provider of independent investment research, will be providing class materials to support the program.

"Using endowment resources not only supports the program but also furthers our overall commitment to sustainable investing," said Sine. 

With this new program, American University aims to develop the next generation of impact investment leaders, further experiential learning offerings, and continue to build upon its overall commitment to sustainability across the AU community. In addition to its carbon neutral achievement, American University divested from fossil fuel investments in its endowment in 2020. The Kogod School of Business is ranked as the 8^th Best Green MBA program by Princeton Review. At the heart of AU’s experiential learning, more than 91 percent of students have at least one internship and more than 60 percent participate in study abroad programs. 

Students interested in registering for the class can learn more from their advisors. For more information and to learn more about the ESG program, please visit: www.american.edu/kogod.