Fourth-year Harrison McCollum is living proof that a Commerce School education can take McIntire students where they want to go by readying them for the challenges they face along the way. Recently recognized as a Distinguished Business Student by the American College of Bankruptcy, McCollum has demonstrated a commitment to finance that extends far beyond academic excellence in the classroom. The prestigious annual award highlights the intersection of his practical involvement in challenging financial scenarios and his educational pursuit.
McCollum expressed his gratitude and sees the significance of the honor as “a reflection of my dedication and work in the restructuring and bankruptcy domain.”
A pivotal moment in McCollum’s nascent career came during his internship at Houlihan Lokey, a prominent global investment bank that afforded him an inimitable learning opportunity. During this period, he became significantly involved in the Robertshaw bankruptcy case, a project that proved both complex and demanding. “The experience I got was pretty unique and was definitely foundational as I start my career. It involved anywhere from 60 to 80 hours a week, which was intense but invaluable.”
The depth of his engagement provided McCollum with practical experience that transcended textbook knowledge. As an intense immersion into real-world finance, the bankruptcy case tested his understanding and stretched his abilities while he benefited from the experience of his deal team members. The high-profile case provided him with hands-on experience and an introduction to his future career while standing as a testament to his ability to thrive under pressure and handle sophisticated financial restructuring.
Strategic Academic Decisions
The robust academic curriculum at McIntire played an instrumental role in preparing McCollum for such high-stakes scenarios. One core component of his preparation he singles out is Professor David C. Smith’s Restructuring course, which he was uniquely allowed to enroll in as a third-year. “Taking the Restructuring class early on equipped me with the insights necessary for tackling such a complex deal. It really set me apart from others,” he acknowledged, emphasizing the critical role of this course in his development.
Beyond his coursework, McCollum demonstrated leadership and foresight by founding the Credit Restructuring Club at UVA with two of his peers. This initiative was born out of his time navigating the recruiting landscape for restructuring roles, where he identified a lack of specific resources for students with similar interests. “We noticed that there weren’t great resources at UVA for landing these types of jobs,” the Knoxville, TN, native recalls. “All the investment clubs are geared towards traditional banking, leaving a void for those pursuing credit or restructuring roles.”
Under McCollum’s leadership, the Credit Restructuring Club has thrived, providing students with opportunities previously unavailable while equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in a competitive job market. “It’s been a great part of my college experience co-leading the club. We’ve had students come through who have landed phenomenal jobs that might not have been accessible otherwise,” he notes with pride.
Mentorship and Future Prospects
Recognizing the impact of mentorship in his journey, McCollum has committed to giving back to the McIntire community. As the former Director of Education for the McIntire Investment Institute (MII) student org, he imparted essential finance skills to new members, fostering a culture of learning and growth. “My role was about giving back and teaching skills that would help newcomers land jobs and become investors within MII,” McCollum said, emphasizing his dedication to reciprocal mentorship.
His deep connection with Smith (who nominated McCollum for the Distinguished Business Student Award) and his Restructuring course extends beyond being a student; McCollum also serves as a teaching assistant for the class and recently presented a lecture explaining his role in the Robertshaw case. “Delivering a 40-minute lecture on the complexities and outcomes of the Robertshaw deal was a unique experience,” he reflected. “It isn’t every day a student gets to give lectures while they’re still in college.”
As McCollum looks ahead to his impending career with Houlihan Lokey, he expresses enthusiasm for what lies ahead and is eager to have experiences similar to what he took part in during his internship. “It’s like I hit the jackpot with the very interesting deal I ended up working on,” he says. “What’s great about Houlihan is they work on such a variety of deals that I think I’ll get to be involved with similarly high-profile deals, which is definitely what I’m looking forward to most.”
For students looking to follow in his footsteps, McCollum offers valuable advice: “Join the Credit Restructuring Club—that’s a good place to start,” he says, also suggesting that students read frequently and deeply, as a solid grounding in corporate finance is essential to understanding restructuring. “It’s really hard to understand restructuring because it just layers on so many more concepts, so you need to be pretty well versed early. But second-years interested in the space should read a lot. There are a lot of great resources out there like restructuringinterviews.com, which helped me when I was recruiting.”
In thinking about where he is headed today, McCollum is emphatic about giving credit where he feels it is due: “Professor Smith and McIntire have been so helpful and impactful on my experience and prepared me for my career, but also provided a setting where I can learn about something I’m truly interested in. A lot of students at schools don’t really have those kinds of resources available to them, so it’s important to note.”
