Why the Keeley Center Academy Integrated the FMC® Program

The Keeley Center Academy’s mission is simple: reverse-engineer what the industry wants, then deliver it. According to Executive Director Martin Essenburg, “We give industry what it wants by embedding technical training, real-world exposure, and rigorous assessments directly into the curriculum.”

Students must earn both the FMC® Level I Certification and FMC® Level II Certification that Adventis offers, each of which may require multiple exam attempts.

“Experiential learning is what sets Keeley apart. We don’t just talk about finance—we do finance. That’s why Adventis is so critical to what we do.”

– Martin Essenburg, Executive Director, Keeley Center Academy

How Adventis Helps Close the Readiness Gap

DePaul students are often juggling multiple part-time jobs, internships, and financial responsibilities. Many enter the Keeley Center Academy with minimal technical training. The Adventis FMC® Program levels the playing field by delivering clear, structured financial modeling instruction in a format students can revisit and internalize.

Keeley Center Academy students are required to attempt the exam three times, with pass rates hovering around 80%. For many, this process builds grit and confidence.

“Most college students need a structured learning environment. Adventis provides that, and the boot camps give them real-world context. The financial modeling anecdotes and examples provided in the Adventis boot camps make a lasting impact.”

– Martin Essenburg, Executive Director, Keeley Center Academy

In fact, Adventis boot camps are often a DePaul student’s first exposure to peer financial modeling excellence—Adventis Student Trainers from other universities come to campus to administer in-person boot camps, demonstrating to Keeley Center Academy students what’s possible. The motivation and clarity that follow are undeniable.

From Adventis Certification to Career Launch

Keeley Center Academy students go on to careers across the finance spectrum:

• Two-thirds pursue commercial or corporate banking 

• Others land in wealth management, asset management, and equity research

• 1-2 students per class will break into investment banking

Regardless of their path, the modeling foundation from Adventis helps students speak fluently with industry professionals. They are assessed by risk managers at JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citi, and others as part of a final case presentation, often leading directly to offers.

“Our students average 6–7 internships before graduation. It’s made possible because they live and learn finance in downtown Chicago, and because they’ve built the skills and confidence to pursue opportunities year-round.”

– Martin Essenburg, Executive Director, Keeley Center Academy

How DePaul Made Adventis Work at Scale

DePaul’s Keeley Center Academy has used strategic levers to embed Adventis successfully across its model:

• Bootcamp Integration: DePaul University hosts 2-3 Adventis boot camps on an annual basis

• Require Certification: Keeley Center students are required to earn Adventis certifications, resulting in strong technical skills

• Career-Connected Curriculum: Modeled after real analyst work and judged by real bankers

• Funding & Access: Adventis is fully funded through external sponsorships—Keeley students never pay out-of-pocket

What Other Universities Can Learn from the Keeley Center Academy’s Success

• Meet Students Where They Are: Students need structure, mentorship, and real deadlines—not just online videos.

• Create Career-Connected Curriculum: Model your classes after actual analyst workflows.

• Build Partnerships That Scale: A committed board and 30+ vendor and firm relationships fuel Keeley’s curriculum and placement engine.

• Invest in Confidence: Modeling builds more than skills—it builds belief.

“I believe every finance student should know how to model. Adventis was the best fit for our students then, and it still is now. Their boot camps, trainers, and undergrad focus are what make it work for us.”

– Martin Essenburg, Executive Director, Keeley Center Academy