The Cummings Student-Managed Investment Fund (CSMIF) at Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business opened the 2025-26 academic year with serious momentum, announcing a 20% portfolio increase over the previous year — one of the most successful periods in the fund’s history. The news was shared during CSMIF’s annual fall kick-off event, where students and mentors also introduced the fund’s dynamic new leadership team and outlined their vision for the year ahead.
Housed within the Barton School, CSMIF provides students with real-time experience managing an investment portfolio backed by actual capital. The fund is designed to offer practical, real-world learning that supports a variety of career paths while fostering both personal and professional growth.
The fund was established through a generous gift from Erin and Kyle Cummings, Barton School alumni and longtime supporters of student success. In recognition of their contribution, the Barton School named the fund in their honor. Kyle is a Senior Trader at Vitol, which is a leading energy and commodities company. Erin is a serial entrepreneur, author, and angel investor. She also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board and is president of the Barton School’s Alumni Council.
“Kyle and I couldn’t be more excited about the growth of CSMIF,” said Erin. “Our goal was to give students the kind of experience that bridges the gap between classroom theory and real financial decision-making. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the students not only grow the portfolio, but grow as professionals and leaders.”
Setting a New Standard for Student-Led Investment Funds
To put the performance in context, U.S. stock markets typically deliver long-term average annual returns of 7–10%. Many university-managed funds aim simply to match those benchmarks. That makes CSMIF’s 20% single-year return an exceptional result that reflects not only favorable market conditions but the effectiveness of its analytical processes, risk discipline, and leadership.
“CSMIF continues to prove the power of student-led, experiential learning,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “A 20% growth in portfolio value is not just impressive given the market conditions. It reflects the discipline, insight, and collaboration of our students and mentors alike. These students aren’t just managing a portfolio of assets. They’re building the mindset, judgment, creativity and discipline that defines great investors.”
Meet the 2025-26 Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund Leadership Team
- Ellie Stringer – President
Major: Marketing/Economics
Year: Junior - Coen Key – Vice President
Major: Finance/Economics
Year: Sophomore - Isabel Fulkerson – Secretary
Major: Economics
Year: Junior - Brayden Elmer – Chief Investment Officer/Treasurer; Team Lead: Stock Selection
Major: Finance
Year: Senior - Jeremy Johnson – VP of Recruitment & Membership
Major: Finance/Economics
Year: Sophomore - Simon Deaver – Team Lead: Asset Allocation
Major: Finance
Year: Senior - Michael Goldberg – Team Lead: Fund Selection
Major: Finance/Economics
Year: Senior
CSMIF's structure includes three core research teams: asset allocation, fund selection, and stock selection. Each team is composed of students from a variety of academic backgrounds including accounting, marketing, management information systems, economics, international business and more.
“I’ve always considered CSMIF a ‘skyrocket to success,’ connecting student’s education with real, professional experiences,” said Stringer. “We’re going in to this year with great momentum and even greater ambition.”
The program is also supported by an experienced internal advisory team:
- Paul Attwater III– Industry Advisor
- Jenn Lopez– Program Director
- Brett Lukert– Program Coordinator
“The work happening inside CSMIF is transformative,” added Dr. Genin. “It’s a model of what business education should be: hands-on, high-impact, and student-led.”
Previous milestones for the fund include a trip to New York City for networking with industry professionals and alumni now working at leading financial institutions. CSMIF is poised for another year of smart strategy, high-impact learning, and market insight. To learn more about the Cummings Student-Managed Investment Fund, visit wichita.edu/csmif or follow the fund on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/w-frank-barton-school-of-business-student-managed-investment-fund/.