Maria Del Pilar Arce, an R.H. Smith School of Business student at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is the winner of the 2011 University of Maryland Stock Market Challenge. Maria out-traded more than 700 students, staff, and faculty members from the University System of Maryland to finish with the largest portfolio at the close of the two-month trading simulation. She increased her portfolio by 36.2%, earning a $400 cash prize. Peter Quattrociocchi, a Simulation and Digital Entertainment student from the University of Baltimore at USG, took fifth place in the contest.
Maria’s Journey: From Business Owner to Business Student
The Stock Market Challenge may have been Maria’s first extensive experience in trading, but identifying opportunity and making sound financial decisions were already familiar concepts. After working several years with Domino’s Pizza as a teenager, Maria took advantage of the chance to run her own business at the age of 22. She left her family’s Montgomery County home to become the sole proprietor of a Domino’s franchise in Michigan. When an unexpected health condition forced her to return to her family in Maryland, she decided to complete her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She completed coursework at Montgomery College before transferring to USG and is graduating with a B.S. in General Business with a specialization in Entrepreneurship this May.
Maria credits her “real world” experience and her business education at the Universities at Shady Grove with helping her to win the challenge. She emphasized that several students at USG are working while completing their degree, allowing for enhanced insight inside the classroom. She noted that the competition required a great time commitment, including reading Yahoo Finance, listening to the news, and seeking input from her colleagues.
“The Stock Market Challenge demonstrates how the economy, marketing and finance intersect in the real world”, said Arce. “It is a chance to experience things you can’t learn in textbooks. It’s about dedication, passion, and goals – it’s about living”.
Maria has worked part-time with the United States Department of Labor as a Program Analyst while completing her degree and has accepted her position full-time upon graduation. As for her future in the stock market, she has already increased her investments since finding so much success in the simulation. But her prize money will be put towards a different kind of investment – saving to pursue her MBA.
Stock Market Challenge: Expanding Financial Literacy
The inaugural University of Maryland Stock Market Challenge was held from February 28 – April 29, 2011. Participation was open to students, staff, and faculty from the University System of Maryland and alumni of the Honors College at University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP).
The contest was modeled after a successful stock market trading simulation currently used in Dr. Eric Wish’s stock market courses at University of Maryland, College Park. All participants were granted a simulated $100,000 margin account and were provided guidance about trading with an orientation webinar and by following Dr. Eric Wish’s blog (wishingwealthblog.com). Participants enhanced their experience by participating in the online Challenge Forum and accessing related educational resources.
The challenge was sponsored by the University of Maryland, College Park College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and the Honors College. With the generous support from the Davis Foundation, prizes of $400, $250, $100, $50 and $50 were awarded to the five participants whose portfolios increased the most during the contest.
Registration for the Fall 2011 Stock Market Challenge opens on September 19, 2011!