The Shidler College of Business hosted a milestone event on Feb. 11 for the Master of Science in Finance Program (MSF). Professor of Finance and Risk Management and MSF Faculty Director Hua Chen organized the “Mastering Finance: Bridging Talent and Industry” mixer event at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center. Chen collaborated with multiple teams, including the Career Services and Professional Development Office, the Graduate Office of Student Academic Services and the External Relations Office to design a networking opportunity for current students and an informational session for prospective students. There were about 60 attendees, including students, alumni and finance professionals, who spent the evening fostering connections and sharing insights into Hawaii’s finance industry.
The mixer was a lively event with students networking with professional mentors.
“The event was a key initiative designed to help students explore career paths and work toward their professional goals,” Chen said. “While we previously hosted a similar event online, the growing size of our program highlighted the need for stronger connections between our students and Hawai‘i’s finance industry. This event supported career placement efforts and played a crucial role in retaining top talent within the local market.”
The MSF Program
The MSF program launched in 2020 as a one-year, 30-credit curriculum designed with a strong foundation in the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) track. As the only finance master’s program in Hawai‘i housed in an AACSB-accredited business school, it provides students with specialized knowledge in areas such as commercial banking, investment and wealth management, financial planning, risk management, and real estate finance.
Panelists share their professional experiences with students.
“The program has grown significantly, and we currently have 25 students enrolled and 63 alumni who have gone on to work in local banking and financial sectors,” Chen shared. “One of the key evolutions of the program has been the addition of elective courses to allow students to tailor their education to their specific interests.”
In addition to offering a traditional 4+1 pathway to Shidler finance majors, the program has expanded interdisciplinary collaborations with UH Mānoa’s Global Environmental Science program at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The faculty is also exploring partnerships across the UH system to further diversify the program’s offerings.
Another major milestone for the MSF program is its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) designation. This distinction not only reinforces the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and technical skills but also extends work opportunities for international students by allowing them to qualify for up to three years of Optional Practical Training in the U.S. without requiring an H-1B visa.
Contributions to Shidler
Since joining Shidler in 2018, Chen has been a pivotal figure in shaping the MSF program’s growth and success. With prior experience at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, he brings extensive expertise in program development, international collaboration and corporate finance education.
“I aim to teach in a way that helps students build a comprehensive system of knowledge in corporate finance and bridge theory and practice, so students understand finance applications in real life,” Chen shared.
His research focuses on corporate risk management, with a particular emphasis on the insurance industry. Chen has been published in leading journals in risk management and real estate, including the Journal of Risk and Insurance, Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, North American Actuarial Journal, and the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics. His recent projects explore the application of machine learning in pension fund management, insurance loss reserving, and risk prevention for electric vehicle drivers.
Chen’s dedication to education and research continues to play a vital role in strengthening Shidler’s MSF program and preparing students to become future leaders in the finance field. As the program continues its evolution and garners more recognition, events like the recent mixer will serve as important stepping stones in fostering a thriving finance community in Hawai‘i and beyond.
See photos from the event here.
