About Us
The Center for Insurance and Risk Management at Illinois State University (also known as The Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management) was established in 1991. The Katie School helps develop students and prepare them for careers in the risk management and insurance professions. The school is guided by an Advisory Board of Insurance Executives, and provides annual scholarships and grants totaling over $100,000 to attract future industry leaders.
The Katie School offers internships and a mentorship program to prepare students for careers in the industry. The Katie School also provides educational outreach to the local community and to the insurance industry.
Read more about the Katie School in:
- Business Insurance: "University program strives to equip students for work" By Jim Jones, director of the Katie School of Insurance
- Illinois State University News - Katie School Ranked Third Largest Insurance Program
The Competitive Edge
The Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services has the competitive edge because of its innovative programming, industry connections, and commitment to excellence. These programs support business students in the AACSB accredited college especially students with majors and minors in risk management and insurance, financial planning, and students in the SOA accredited actuarial science program.
Some of the unique and innovative features include:
- Scholarships totaling over $100,000 awarded to outstanding business and actuarial students.
- Over 120 insurance companies, agencies, and brokerages and businesses search out and hire graduates who have participated in Katie School programs.
- Katie School sponsored programs are nationally recognized by the top national insurance organizations for their innovation and program excellence winning awards for innovation from American Risk and Insurance Association and Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators.
- Internship providing student placements with various insurance companies, brokerages, agencies, risk managers and destinations in the international insurance markets each summer in London, Bermuda, and Zurich.
- Support for business and actuarial students to be in the Katie School Student Leadership Program focusing on enhanced development of communication, team building, leadership, and business consulting skills.
- Support for CPCU, CLU, ChFC, IIA, and Actuarial exams, including reimbursements, stipends, and formal review sessions to help students succeed.
- Student interaction with the industry through company visits, industry speakers, job-shadowing, mentoring, and industry conferences. This leads to graduates who already have made a commitment to the industry, thereby reducing the costs associated with entry-level employment and turnover.
- Students from various participate in industry activities outside of the classroom, many sponsored by the professional student insurance fraternity, Gamma Iota Sigma, that help augment the formal insurance curriculum and maximize their involvement with the industry.
- Guest industry speakers bring firsthand knowledge and experience to the classroom to complement the superior teaching by faculty members.
- Student outreach opportunities for doing education with local junior high students and non-profits.
- Summer risk management program for talented high school students.
- State-of-the art online ethics program from Insurance Ethics Institute.
- Custom workshop on financial and technical insurance skills.
See the Difference
The Katie School has a unique relationship with the insurance industry, non-profit organizations, the College of Business, Illinois State University, and everyone involved with each of these groups. The Katie School supports and is supported by everyone that falls into these categories.
Through the cooperation and collaboration of all of these people, the Katie School provides the opportunity for success. See the difference!
