RUTHERFORD, NJ—As part of its new Summer Academy program for high school students, Felician University welcomed 15 area teens into the inaugural Young Investors and Future Entrepreneurs Academy.

The two-week program was held on the Rutherford campus and introduced the young students to daily investment simulations, team-building activities, interactive case studies, and leadership discussions designed to strengthen critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills.

“The Young Investors and Future Entrepreneurs Academy was created to inspire the next generation of financial leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” explains Felician University business professor and associate dean, Anthony J. Scardino, Ph.D, who led the program. “Over the course of two weeks, students didn’t simply learn about investing— they experienced it. Through hands-on simulations, entrepreneurial challenges, financial planning exercises, and exposure to real-world market concepts, they developed the confidence to think critically, make informed decisions, and begin seeing themselves as future business leaders.”

Week one focused on “Building a Strong Financial Foundation.” Programming included discussions, lessons, and interactive games focused on financial goals, budgeting, banking, credit and borrowing, investing, and stock market basics. In week two, the focus shifted to “Investing and Entrepreneurship,” with a focus on investment vehicles and strategies, business idea development, and a stock market competition. The students collaborated on team projects and got first-hand experience monitoring stocks in the Bloomberg Lab, sponsored by the Alden Trust.

Dr. Scardino deemed the first Young Investors Academy a success. “Watching their growth, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the program was incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed the importance of introducing financial literacy and entrepreneurial thinking at an early age. We are excited to continue growing this program as part of Felician University’s commitment to serving our community and preparing tomorrow’s leaders.”

###

About Felician University

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 2,800 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Felician University was recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026, earning distinction as the No. 1 college for women in New Jersey. Additionally, Felician has been named a best value school by payscale.com and Money magazine, and as one of the best college locations in NJ (#4) by niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supportive environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list (#30). With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with people in need, justice and peace are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu/