The Vaughan Institute

March 2024 Update

Working together to inspire and equip the next generation of Risk Management and Insurance leaders to make the world safer, smarter, and more secure.

Welcome to the Vaughan Institute's update. Below you'll find our shared accomplishments and upcoming activities. If you or a colleague would like to become more involved at the Institute as a speaker, mentor, or project liaison, please reach out to Jim Lewis or Camille Bonar for more information. We look forward to collaborating with you!

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Key Performance Indicators

  • 294% Growth Factor in the Past Year
  • 265 Students in the RMI Program
  • 195 Students enrolled in the RMI Major
  • 51 Students enrolled in the RMI Certificate
  • 18 Students enrolled in the first MBA Program with RMI focus
  • 1 Student enrolled in the PhD Program with RMI focus
  • 51 Gamma Iota Sigma Members

Innovation in Risk Management

Thought Leaders and Innovators Speaker Series

Our Thought Leaders and Innovators Speaker Series has demonstrated the Vaughan Institute’s commitment to innovation and industry collaboration. This semester, we have brought in 11 individuals to speak to our introductory classes and Gamma Iota Sigma chapter. By sharing their thoughtful narratives surrounding professional development and the corporate life cycle, our students have witnessed representatives from insurtech founders and national industry leaders alike to inspire and equip them on their RMI journeys. 

 

Real-World Experiential Learning

GIS Spring Case Competition

Congratulations to our two groups of Gamma Iota Sigma students who successfully submitted their video presentations for the Global Insurance Symposium Case Competition on emerging risks. Team topics were: Solar Flares and AWS vs AI Cyber Risk.

Please help us thank:

Students

Mentors

Carson Nauman, Team Solar Flares

Aaron Warner, ProCircular

Cole Phillips, Team Solar Flares

Barbie Garton, Principal

Edward Kang,Team AWS/AI

Dean Walstrom, United Fire Group

Jenna Marchuk, Team Solar Flares

Frederick Skiff, University of Iowa

Sean O'Brien, Team AWS/AI

Jeff Lorenzen, American Equity

Ty Ahmed, Team AWS/AI

Meredith Ringel-Ensley, University of Iowa


Intercollegiate Insurance Sales Challenge

Students from top-RMI programs across the country are provided with a case that describes a business and identifies issues the business owners are having with their current agent. In the first round of the challenge, students meet individually with the business owners to gain additional insights into the issues. In the second and third rounds, students meet with the owners again, in teams, to try to "close the deal" by outlining how they can better serve the owners' needs.


April 10th -12th, 2024, Tallahassee, FL

IISC Team

Mentors

Ben Sernett

Jace Glenn, Cottingham & Butler

Brandon Latting

Packy Moran, University of Iowa

Jimmy Ozzauto


Nick Agenlian


We are so proud of your hard work and commitment to competing for your university.

NAMIC & Captive Resources Visit

The Vaughan Institute's very own Executive Director, Jim Lewis, had the opportunity to speak on a panel about talent acquisition at NAMIC in March. Several students joined us as well as Dean Amy Kristof-Brown who participated in a corporate visit to Captive Resources. Thank you, Nick Hentges, CEO, for hosting the event and great tour.

WSIA Extreme Risktakers Symposium

During March, we were able to take five students to WSIA's Extreme Risktakers Symposium in Chicago, IL. Students attended a E&S-focused career fair, a myriad of seminars, and even went bowling with their peers from other institutions.

Career Readiness and Employment Opportunities

Spring Scholarship Winners

Each semester, the Vaughan Institute hosts a scholarship evening for students involved in the RMI program. This spring semester, the Vaughan Institute gave away over 44 scholarships to deserving students. With the help of Kevin Miller (Cottingham & Butler) and Haley Jensen (Transamerica), these two speakers helped get our students prepared (and excited!) for the upcoming career fair.

Special recognition to our Major General Stewart Wallace Scholarship winners pictured below, Ty Ahmed and Caleb Minasian, who received $2,500 each. Like to learn more about how your organization can sponsor scholarships? Contact megan.rife@foriowa.org.

RMI Seminar Career Fair

March was also home to our RMI/Finance seminar's semester career fair. This smaller-scale career fair offers students interested in both RMI and Finance tracks, the opportunity to speak to future employers in the industry early on in their educational careers. Like to learn more about how your organization can be included in these? Contact cindy-meis@uiowa.edu.

PhD Student Spotlight - What's Siegfried Anyomi up to?


What are your current research interests?


My current research interests are centered around the operational and regulatory aspects of insurance, risk theory, and household finance, with a particular focus on retirement income planning for households. This blend of topics allows me to explore critical areas of insurance policy, corporate practice, and household financial literacy, aiming to provide insights that can improve retirement planning and risk management strategies for individuals and families.


What would you tell someone new to the field of Risk Management and Insurance?


When people ask me about risk management and insurance, they often expect an explanation filled with complex probability and statistics. However, I believe risk is one of the most natural concepts we deal with as a society, and insurance helps to protect us financially from the risks we face. Recently, the paradigm has shifted even more towards households, emphasizing the importance of managing risk at a personal and household level. This underscores the necessity for everyone to have a basic understanding of risk management and insurance, not just as a theoretical concept but as a practical tool for safeguarding their future and achieving financial stability.


When you’re not researching or teaching, what can we catch you doing in your free time?


Back in Ghana, I played in level 4 divisional soccer leagues as a goalie, a passion that took root during my high school days. Even now, I continue this tradition by playing soccer with friends whenever I can. Alongside soccer, I like to cycle during the summer months and explore the outdoors. These activities not only keep me physically active but also offer a refreshing break from academic pursuits, allowing me to renew my energy.


What most excites you about the Vaughan Institute?


The introduction of the risk management and insurance undergraduate major in the fall of 2023 represents a significant milestone that greatly excites me. This significant development was brought to fruition through the concerted efforts of key players like Dean Amy Kristof-Brown and Professor Thomas Berry-Stoelzle. Moreover, the Vaughan Institute's generous funding support for my PhD journey has been a cornerstone in my academic journey. I am immensely grateful for this support, which not only facilitates my scholarly pursuits but also underscores the Institute's dedication to training the next generation of insurance academics and professionals.

Siegfried's bio can be found here.

Join Us and Our Students at these Upcoming Events

Advisory Board Social & Senior Night

Join us on April 4th, 2024 from 5-8 PM as we celebrate our soon-to-graduate seniors at the Vue in Iowa City.

Global Insurance Symposium

The Vaughan Institute is proudly sponsoring the Global Insurance Accelerator's Demo Days on Wednesday, April 17th at 1:30 PM in Des Moines, IA.

Risk Theory Society Seminar

The Vaughan Institute is proud to be hosting the annual Risk Theory Society Seminar at the University of Iowa. The Risk Theory Society Seminar will take place April 19th– 21st, 2024, and will allow scholars and faculty in the field of Risk Management and Insurance to collaborate, present, and critically discuss new scholarships. We look forward to hosting these world-renowned experts on campus.

 

RIMS Risk World

Looking forward to attending RIMS Risk World on May 5 - 8th, 2024. If you plan on attending in San Diego, we'd love to see you there. Reach out to Jim Lewis (jim-lewis@uiowa.edu) to connect.

Save the Date 8/22/24 - 18th Annual Vaughan Institute Golf Outing

Mark your calendars - the 18th Annual Vaughan Institute Golf Outing will take place at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. The event starts at 11 a.m. with a best shot format on August 22nd, 2024. Golf will be followed immediately by awards and a networking event from 4-5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with industry partners, meet some of our best and brightest students, and support the Vaughan Institute over a round of golf! Last year’s outing was a hit with around 20 student participants and 22 foursomes. We hope to top last year’s numbers this coming August! Keep your eyes peeled for registration information in the coming weeks. For more information contact camille-bonar@uiowa.edu.

One Day for The Vaughan Institute


One Day for Iowa, the University of Iowa’s 24-hour online giving day, is Wednesday, March 27! Your donation to the Vaughan Institute could be doubled or more through limited-time matching gift opportunities.

 

The top ten areas to receive the most donations between now and 11:59 p.m. on March 27 will receive a slice of $40,000 in extra funding. Your gift today counts toward this effort!

 

Any gifts made toward the Vaughan Institute on One Day for Iowa can help:

  • Student scholarships
  • Student travel for case competitions
  • Faculty and research

 

Show your support for The Vaughan Institute by donating today!

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