The Vaughan Institute
of Risk
Management
January 2025 Update
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Working together to inspire and equip the next generation of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) leaders to make the world safer, smarter, and more secure. | |
Welcome to 2025 and the start of the "spring" semester. Between California wildfires, cyber attacks, and geo-political shifts, it reminds us it's a risky world out there. | |
Key Performance Indicators
As of January 30, 2025
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- 376 students enrolled in the RMI program
- 304 students enrolled in the RMI major (estimated top 5 in the nation)
- 48 students enrolled in the RMI certificate
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23 students enrolled in the University of Iowa's MBA Program with RMI focus
- 1 student enrolled in the RMI PhD program
- 103 Gamma Iota Sigma Members
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Want to hear what our young RMI alumni
and current students have to say?
Produced by our UI School of Journalism students
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The Vaughan Institute worked closely with students of the UI School of Journalism's Adler Agency this past semester. Students of the Adler Agency developed some prospective student recruiting media. As you watch the video above, we think you'll be impressed it was entirely produced by UI students.
Like to hire them to help your company? Contact their amazing instructor, Jeffrey-Grisamore@UIowa.edu.
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Thanks to Vaughan Institute Executive in Residence Fred Crawford, former President of Aflac, for taking the time to meet with our students. Fred provided insight and expertise to students as they navigate the start of their professional careers. His schedule for the first Friday With Fred event was booked full in just two days.
Watch for Fridays with Fred in February (via Zoom) - invitation coming soon.
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Enterprise Risk Management Projects - Spring 2025 | |
Illustrate key market trends, highlighting differences between countries and identifying the metrics they believe best explain the growth of P&C and life insurance premiums in the countries/region of focus. | |
Best practices and cross-industry innovation for the use of AI and Insurtech company solutions to improve the customer experience before, during and after open enrollment to increase adoption and retention | |
Analyze one of three specific industry sectors (manufacturing, retail, banking) for cyber risk exposures to understand how cyber underwriters could incorporate AI into their process | |
Evaluate a sample policy and focus on one of three assigned areas (flood, water damage, fire/wildfires) and recommend how AI and insurtech solutions could be leveraged to predict/prevent losses from occurring | |  |
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Use Lightship technology to score individual distractibility risk in drivers and design targeted safety intervention strategies for a carrier (Nationwide) and Broker (TrueNorth) and a large transportation company
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Investigate how AI best practices and insurtech solutions can enhance performance in key areas of their operations
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Explore how Lotus Fertility insurance could address health and voluntary benefits challenges of evolving to meet changing employer/employee needs for improved and new benefits to remain competitive | | |
Welcome to our new Advisory Board members and thank you to our departing board member | | |
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COO at the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services
"At its core, the insurance industry is there to help protect people, many times so the insured or their family can recover on some of the worst days of their lives. I'm honored to join the Advisory Board to help students get interested, prepared and connected to successfully launch into this important industry," McElhaney said. "The Iowa insurance industry provides high quality, good paying job opportunities. I look forward to helping the students take advantage of these and begin a successful and enjoyable career in the insurance industry."
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Principal at ManchesterStory
"I am thrilled to join the Vaughan Advisory Board and contribute to the continued success of the Tippie College of Business, my alma mater, which played a pivotal role in shaping my career. This is an incredible opportunity to give back to the University of Iowa and state that have fostered innovation and growth in the insurance industry. I look forward to collaborating with the board to inspire the next generation of leaders and to further position Iowa as a hub for insurance excellence."
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CMO at FCCI
"Angela has been a vital part of the success of the Vaughan Institute's growth and her leadership as an active advisory board member lifted our confidence to think bigger and lean into innovation. We appreciate the impact you made for the next generation."
Jim Lewis
Executive Director
Vaughan Institute of Risk Management
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Five student case competitions this spring | |
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We are entering a record number of case competitions this spring. We still have room for a few more teams if you would like to join. This is a great resume builder and a wonderful opportunity for real-world experience!
Interested in mentoring these amazing student teams with their case competitions? Are you a student interested in competing?
Email Camille Bonar at camille-bonar@uiowa.edu.
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Intercollegiate Insurance Sales Challenge
March 26 - 28, 2025
Interested in participating? Email Camille Bonar at camille-bonar@uiowa.edu.
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Insurtech New York
April 2-3, 2025
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Global Insurance Symposium
April 15-16, 2025
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Cottingham & Butler Collegiate Sales Challenge
April 17-18, 2025
Interested in participating? Email Camille Bonar at camille-bonar@uiowa.edu.
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Spencer x RIMS Risk Management Challenge
May 4-7, 2025
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Mt. Vernon high school visit | |
Loved the opportunity to share what coffee has to do with risk and insurance. This group of high school students asked some really thoughtful questions and gave us confidence that they see why this is an interesting path to discover how to make a positive impact. | |
Please help us in congratulating our RMI PhD student, Siegfried Anyomi, who has officially attained the Associate designation in the Society of Actuaries. | |
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What we are watching/listening to | |
Take a look at what we've been reading and listening to at the Vaughan Institute. Do you have any suggestions for our students? Share them with us at camille-bonar@uiowa.edu. | |
Looking forward to hearing one of the founders mentioned in this article, Valkyrie Holmes with Faura, share her innovative solution for wildfire risk at our upcoming insurtech innovation class. | |
New Global Insurance Accelerator cohort | |
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Welcome to the 2025 GIA cohort. Thank you to our UI JPEC colleagues who provided the customer discovery and product market fit methodology.
"This has been a tremendous asset to the GIA."
- Dan Israel, Managing Director of the GIA
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Student scholarship opportunities | |
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Norm Ziegler Trailblazer Scholarship Fund - Due February 15, 2025
Qualifications:
- U.S. citizen and a full-time student attending any college in the U.S.
- Majoring or minoring in Insurance, Risk Management, Actuarial Science, or a related field
- 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Must not be receiving full reimbursement for the expenses of tuition, books, etc. from any outside source
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Iowa Insurance & Financial Services Education Foundation Scholarship
- Due February 28, 2025
Qualifications:
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Sophomore status and above, with at least one full academic year left
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Insurance industry related major and experience
- Full-time student status
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CPCU Scholarship - Due April 1, 2025
Qualifications:
- Be an Iowa CPCU Society Member, OR a sophomore, junior, or senior attending a four-year accredited college or university
- Maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.75
- Along with the scholarship application, a resume and statement of career goals
Email complete submission to iowacpcusociety@gmail.com by April 1, 2025
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February is Insurance Careers Month | |
The following resources are to help you participate in the Insurance Careers Movement and in the annual February Insurance Careers Month. Thank you for helping inspire more people to choose insurance as a rewarding, limitless, and purpose-driven career. | |
Mark Your Calendars
Insure Your Future Summer 2025
Leadership Dates
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May 28, 2025: Kick-Off Event at the Principal Charity Classic
June 5, 2025: Session #1, Holmes Murphy, Waukee, IA
June 17, 2025: Session #2, Wellmark, Des Moines IA
July 10, 2025: Session #3, Transamerica, Cedar Rapids
July 15, 2025: Optional Community Improvement Project, Cedar Rapids
July 17, 2025: Optional Community Improvement Project, Des Moines
July 24, 2025: Session #4, WR Berkley; CWG and BerkleyAg, Urbandale
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Vaughan Institute 20th Anniversary - Save the date | |
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November 5-6, 2025
We are making good progress on our plans for a spectacular 20th anniversary event - be on the lookout for invites! Join us for the Superbowl of student insurtech case competitions, guest speakers, and insight into all things risk management and insurance.
Interested in joining us? Reach out to camille-bonar@uiowa.edu.
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19th Annual Vaughan Institute Golf Outing
Save the Date
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New Insurtech Innovation class launched | |
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Our first insurtech innovation course has been launched this semester with a focus on solving important and timely pain points with a new methodology and AI platform we call VITALS (Vaughan InsurTech Assessment and Learning System). This semester our students will meet 12 industry experts, 16 insurtech founders and provide four executive team briefings.
Thank you to Fred Crawford and many of our advisory board members who provided invaluable feedback and insight for this class. And a special thank you to insurtech author and speaker, Bryan Falchuk, for the use of your books, podcast, and guest speaking to our class. Stay tuned for updates.
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- Connects you with industry professionals
- Provides real-world experience
- Promotes leadership and academic excellence
The only fraternity focused on Risk Management, Insurance, & Actuarial Science
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Check out our previous issues | | | | |
