The Emmett J. Vaughan Institute of Risk Management and Insurance

Dynamic Progress—Exceeding Expectations

Fast Facts

  • The number of graduates has jumped from 6 to 31 in three years.
  • Of the 68 students enrolled in spring 2009, 54 were from Iowa.
  • The average GPA is nearly 3.3.
  • Up to $25,000 in scholarships are awarded each year.

Since granting the first Certificate of Risk Management and Insurance in 2006, interest and enrollment in Vaughan Institute courses has expanded, doubling original projections. Based on student feedback, we attribute the popularity of our programs to quality faculty and lecturers; engaging, up-to-date courses; and abundant leadership and networking opportunities—many of which take place outside the classroom.

Graduate Success

Of our recent graduates reporting their employment status, 88% had accepted jobs or entered graduate school, including law school and a risk management master’s program. The insurance, banking, and investment industries have welcomed them in the following positions:

    Underwriter
    Claims Adjuster
    Financial Analyst
    Producer
    Capital & Asset Manager
    Insurance & Accounting Auditor
    Business/Risk Management Consultant
    Personal Banker
    Bank Compliance Officer
    Bank/Insurance Manager
    Stock Exchange Trader

Expanding Student Horizons

With a foundation of scholarship, leadership, and mentorship, graduates of the Vaughan Institute certificate program enter the business world with enthusiasm. We applaud their success and will continue to support all of our students in reaching their goals.

Karyn Droessler
Vaughan Scholar, BBA09 Finance, RMI Certificate recipient, and Gamma Iota Sigma co-founder, has been very successful following her education and leadership roles in the Vaughan Institute. While a student, she developed a professional relationship with a mentor from AON in Des Moines. She now serves as an insurance trainee at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, Omaha.

Karyn says: “I wouldn’t have gotten as much out of the Tippie College of Business if I had just been majoring in finance. I completed several internships and feel all were critical in helping round out my knowledge with practical experience.”

Erin Wonsmos
BBA09 Finance and RMI Certificate recipient, is currently working at IMT in Des Moines. The opportunities to connect with others interested in insurance had a positive impact.

Erin says: “I would not be where I am without the help of the Institute. The certificate program helped me build a network of professionals and students, and it opened the door to other opportunities. I met my employer at the Dana Ramundt Insurance Education Golf Outing.”

Mike Ihm
BBA09 Finance and RMI Certificate, who interned at Sentry in Davenport, has been pleased with the information and opportunities available to students. Mike is now a Material Damage Claims Representative
at Nationwide in Des Moines.

Mike says: “The institute has been a big help in starting my career. I would not have known about my internship with Sentry or the opportunity to visit Nationwide if it hadn’t been for the student newsletter.”

Gamma Iota Sigma
The University of Iowa is the proud home of the Beta Alpha chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. This national student organization promotes risk management and actuarial science as professions. With membership of approximately 20–25 students, the chapter provides its members—and other interested students—with opportunities for professional development, such as its Speaker Series, the 2008-09 Best Speaker Series in the Tippie College.

“Gamma Iota Sigma and the Vaughan Institute look to continue their collaboration on important initiatives that supplement classroom learning, like the Student Résumé Book and the Industry Mentors Program.”

Jon Raftis, 2009–10 Gamma Iota Sigma president, RMI Certificate student, and AJ Gallagher intern

A Dynamic Curriculum for a Dynamic Industry

The Vaughan Institute’s RMI certificate curriculum includes five courses covering risk management and insurance from both consumer and business perspectives. Our highly qualified and dedicated faculty blend academic content with practical experiences that illustrate the realities of the risk management and insurance world.

“All of the classes were very beneficial because of their hands-on practical applications. The classes were well targeted and I appreciated the balance between finance and risk management. I learned more in Corporate & Financial Risk Management than in any other insurance class.”
Ye Sun, BBA09 Finance and RMI Certificate, Wells Fargo Underwriting, Central Loan Approval Office

Core Courses

Principles of Insurance*
In the past year, nearly 300 students completed this introductory consumer-oriented course. They examine basic risk management concepts and learn about the various insurance coverage and employee benefit plans they will encounter.

Corporate & Financial Risk Management
This course studies the analysis and treatment of pure and financial risks faced by businesses. It focuses on integrated risk management and how contracts and firms can be designed to allow for efficient allocation, management, and pricing of risk.

“The curriculum is fresh and at the cutting edge of theory and practice. It has been developed with an understanding of the significant changes taking place in risk management. The Corporate & Financial Risk Management course synthesizes finance and risk management, teaching them in an integrated fashion.”
J. Tyler Leverty, Assistant Professor of Finance and TRISTAR Risk Management Fellow

Elective RMI Courses

(students must complete two)

Property & Liability Insurance*
Students are taught the fundamentals of commercial and individual property & liability insurance, including the financial and legal aspects of risk management. The text for this course is also used for the initial CPCU exam.

Life & Health Insurance*
This course focuses on the various life and health insurance products, regulation of insurers, and financial planning via life insurance products.

“In this dynamic industry, my goal is to enable students to take abstract concepts and apply them in real situations. Through team teaching and learning, we equip them with the problem-solving skills they’ll need throughout their careers.”
Phil Brooks, Adjunct Lecturer

Employee Benefit Plans
This course addresses important issues in employee benefit plans through instruction and practical experience. In the hands-on component, student teams prepare an employee benefit plan for a firm with financial or employment constraints and present it to a panel of industry experts.

“Taking a financial perspective on employee benefit plans, we teach about the interplay between the benefits a company can control and those it cannot, such as FICA. This provides timely information with real-world applications.”
Scott Fisher, Adjunct Lecturer

*These courses also help prepare students for the state licensure exams. In addition to RMI courses, students take Introduction to Finance and three non-insurance electives to round out the 24-credit hour curriculum.

Dedicated Faculty

The Vaughan Institute faculty and adjunct lecturers represent the best and brightest minds in the industry. Through their work and research, they stay abreast of current topics and share this knowledge with their students. This ensures that potential employees in insurance and risk management are well educated and informed.

While we are proud of all of our faculty members, two recently received recognition from the University. In April 2009, Donna Pearcy received the Distinguished Leadership Award at the Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women. This award was created to recognize Pearcy’s ongoing positive impact as the chief risk officer for the University during flood planning and response efforts in the summer of 2008. In June 2009, Ty Leverty received one of 20 Collegiate Teaching Awards from The University of Iowa.

    Ty Leverty, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Finance, TRISTAR Risk Management Fellow
    Philip Brooks, J.D., Adjunct Lecturer (Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman, PLC)
    Scott Fisher, J.D., Adjunct Lecturer (Mercer Administration)
    Donna Pearcy, MBA, Adjunct Lecturer (Office of Risk Management, The University of Iowa)
    Thomas Rietz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance, Hershberger Research Fellow

Connections

Connect with the Vaughan Institute through one of the following networks, events, or programs.

Vaughan Institute Newsletter

—General updates accessible online or via e-mail.

Student News

—A monthly e-mail to inform RMI students of events, news, and deadlines. Employers are encouraged to submit information.

LinkedIn

—Discuss and post jobs and news by joining the group, “Vaughan Institute Alumni Network” at www.LinkedIn.com.

Dana Ramundt Insurance Education Foundation Golf Outing

—Join us in Iowa City each August to network with students, professionals, faculty, and staff to raise funds for RMI scholarships.

Networking Trips & Events

—The Vaughan Institute and Pomerantz Career Center have sponsored student trips to Des Moines, Dubuque, and Cedar Rapids.

Mentoring Program

—Gamma Iota Sigma, the Greater Quad Cities RIMS Chapter, and the Vaughan Institute work together to match students with industry professionals.

Student Résumé Book

—Employers can easily access this growing online collection of student résumés by contacting the Institute for a password.