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Hands-on Experience Through FIN 421 – Investments

Investment Fund Competition

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Academics / School of Business / Investment Fund Competition

apply classroom learning to real-world investment management

Launched in Fall 2024, the Tiffin University Investment Fund Competition offers upper-level finance students a unique opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world investment management. Through the FIN 421 (Investments) course, students form small teams of 4–5 members and develop detailed portfolio proposals that are presented to a panel of financial professionals. These proposals often incorporate advanced investment strategies and market analysis.

Fall 2024 marked the inaugural year of this initiative, made possible through generous donor support. Each year, 20% of the fund is allocated based on the winning student proposals—beginning with the initial investment in Fall 2024 and continuing annually through Fall 2028. This phased approach allows students and faculty to track performance over time, creating an ongoing learning opportunity with real financial impact. The judging panel consists of three experienced financial advisors who provide expert feedback and evaluate proposals based on quality, feasibility, and strategic insight. The top team’s portfolio is implemented as part of Tiffin’s Investment Fund, directly tying academic excellence to professional execution.

2024 Judges

  • Bart M. Fisher, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP® – Parallel Equity Advisors
  • Douglas Krapf – Senior Managing Director, Clearstead
  • Kit J. Tiell – Financial Advisor, Tiell Financial Group

2024 Winning Team

  • Taylor Peterson
    B.B.A. Accounting & Finance (May 2025), GPA 4.0
    MBA dual-enrolled; TU Volleyball; 2022 Marathon Scholar-Athlete
  • Sloane Temple
    B.B.A. Accounting & Finance (Dec. 2025), GPA 4.0
    Minor in Forensic Accounting; Co-president, Accounting & Finance Club; Treasurer, Business Club; TU Soccer
  • Weston Bollinger
    B.B.A. Accounting & Finance (Dec. 2024), GPA 3.98
    Minor in Music; TU Marching Band Section Leader; Jazz Band
  • Tara Gall
    B.B.A. Finance (May 2025)
    TU Softball & NCAA Rep; MBA student; Member of Mental Health for Student-Athletes Subcommittee
  • Daniela Valdovinos (De Lara)
    B.B.A. International Business (Dec. 2025), Minor in Finance
    Fluent in Spanish

Winning Portfolio Allocation

A balanced and diversified portfolio strategy:

  • 30% – Corporate investment-grade bonds & U.S. Treasuries
  • 42% – Blue-chip equities
  • 28% – High-growth-potential stocks

Sector Focus

  • Consumer Defensive | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical | Technology | Financial Services

The investment fund competition was a great opportunity to apply everything we had learned throughout the semester to a real-world scenario. Working as a team was especially valuable as we met multiple times to divide tasks, reassess our strategy, and collaborate. It was interesting to hear different perspectives from people in the team and build off each other’s ideas to create the best possible portfolio. Every team member played a key role in one or more aspects of the project, making it a truly collaborative and enriching experience.

— Sloan Temple / Fall 2024 Winning Team

This project was a great experience. I got to do a lot of research on stocks and bonds, which is something that I look at every day outside of the classroom, so I was gaining a lot of useful information. After putting together a portfolio, I enjoyed hearing the thoughts of the judges and any tips they had to make the portfolio more successful over the years. Making this project a competition made me want to put my best foot forward and show what I learned throughout the course. Overall, a great experience and can’t wait to see how the portfolio performs!

— Taylor Peterson / Fall 2024 Winning Team

For our presentation, my group focused on creating a balanced and diversified portfolio strategy that combines stability with growth. We wanted the portfolio to take some time to grow in order to get the most from our investment, that is why a majority of the portfolio included low risk high return. Working together on this helped us better understand how each component plays a role in managing risk while aiming for strong overall performance.

— Tara Gall / Fall 2024 Winning Team

Learn More

maria barulina

Maria Barulina, Ph.D.

School of Business
Associate Professor of Finance and Analytics
419.448.5132
More Info
Degrees & Certificates

Ph.D., in International Business with concentration in Finance, University of Texas
M.S., in Management Information Systems, ITMO University
B.S. in B.B.A., ITMO University

Dr. Maria Barulina received her Ph.D. in International Business with concentration in Finance from University of Texas at El Paso. While working on her doctoral degree, Barulina taught numerous courses at her alma mater’s department of Economics and Finance. She also has MS in MIS and BS in BBA from ITMO University, Saint Petersburg Russia, and holds numerous professional certifications. Prior to joining faculty at TU, Barulina has worked as a Senior Quantitative Financial Analyst for a consulting firm in Texas. In this position, she has led projects for clients in various industries including financial sector, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment, and others, across and outside of the US. Areas of Interest
  • Research: International Business, IT & Finance, Corporate Finance, Implementation of Theoretical Models, Investments, and Portfolio Management
  • Teaching: Investments, Financial Markets, International Finance, and Corporate Finance
Programming Languages: R, SQL, Python, HTML, Pascal, GPSS, VBA Statistical Applications: SPSS Modeler, SPSS Statistics, SAS Enterprise Miner, SAS PROC, MATLAB, Stata Databases: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access Data Sources: WRDS, Capital IQ, Value Line, Google, World Bank, Thomson Reuters, ESRI, LexisNexis Languages: Fluent Russian; Conversational Serbian; General understanding of Slavic languages

Explore the full Finance Program or contact Dr. Barulina for more information on how to enroll in FIN 421 and participate in this hands-on investment experience.

Apply to Finance Program
Portfolios      ROI to date
Fall 2024          +13%
Fall 2025          – 2%
Fall 2026          +5%

School of Business

About FIN 421 – Investments

Course Overview
In this upper-level undergraduate course, students explore the core principles of modern investment theory and practice. Key topics include:

  • The risk-return trade-off
  • Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
  • Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH)
  • Security Market Line (SML)

Students develop the analytical tools needed to evaluate investment opportunities and make informed financial decisions, integrating real-world applications and data-driven insights.

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