University of Mississippi Celebrates First Graduates of Insurance Certificate Program

Program offers career opportunities to students from Mississippi HBCUs

The University of Mississippi‘s risk management and insurance program held its annual insurance symposium this March 20-21, 2024, where it offered regional industry professionals and students an opportunity to learn from industry leaders and grow their network.

During the symposium, the program celebrated the career success of Ole Miss RMI students as well as the first graduates of a certificate program for students from Mississippi‘s historically Black colleges and universities.

“The insurance industry has really struggled with attracting young, diverse talent,” said Andre Liebenberg, the Gwenette P. and Jack W. Robertson Chair of Insurance, professor of finance and director of the Center for Insurance Transformation. “For many years our RMI program at Ole Miss has worked with industry partners to help address the issue of young talent, and the certificate program was created to address the issue of diverse talent.

“I’m thrilled about our first set of graduates from our certificate program, which was an answer to prayer about how to address this industry challenge. This certificate program has changed how I do my job at Ole Miss; working with students at different institutions and visiting those institutions has reignited my passion for teaching.”

The Insurance Certificate and Internship program, which launched in fall 2023, graduated 17 students from four Mississippi HBCUs: Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Tougaloo College. The graduates, who have completed eight weeks of online coursework and in-person professional development in Oxford and Washington, D.C., will intern with industry employers.

Artraevian Epps, a junior accounting major from Memphis who attends MVSU, will intern at Gallagher, of Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

“This program has been a great success and has been a great experience all around for me,” Epps said. “I have met and worked with wonderful people for the past few months.

“It has allowed me to be a part of something really special.”

The university’s Center for Insurance Transformation partnered with the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, known in the industry as The Council, and five insurance brokers to kick off the program in 2023. Founding partners include Brown & Riding Insurance Services Co., of Dallas; Cadence Insurance; Gallagher; McGriff Insurance Services, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Ross & Yerger Inc., of Jackson.

Jeff Rodriguez, president and CEO of Brown & Riding, initially approached Liebenberg with the idea of teaching risk management and insurance courses to HBCU students.

“My hope is that this is just a foundation to scale the program to a larger level,” Rodriguez said. “The industry partners that supported the program are very excited to see it come to fruition.

“They have been participating in the events that have occurred in person and online, and so now as the graduates are starting their internships, hopefully we can build on this engagement.”

Aimee Kilpatrick, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Cadence, a Gallagher company, said she is excited about the program’s success.

“When you embark on something like this, you have a vision, and the vision for this program was very strong,” Kilpatrick said. “Then it’s brand new, and you hope that it is executed like we all envisioned. I think in this case, it was.

“The one thing we couldn’t have planned for was the enthusiasm for the industry and energy that the students brought to the table. That has been wonderful to witness. The insurance industry is a hidden gem that not many people, particularly in minority communities, are aware of or consider when exploring career opportunities.”

Joel Wood, UM alumnus and president of The Council, said that setting aside his love for his alma mater, it is special to be involved.

“This started as the brainchild of one of our members and is now making a real difference in the community,” Wood said. “We’re so grateful to our founding partners for appreciating the value we can provide to students at HBCUs once we clear certain obstacles and give them an opportunity to pursue a career in insurance.”

Marcus D. Burger, shareholder and producer at Ross & Yerger, said the program and partnership between Ole Miss and Mississippi HBCUs is “groundbreaking in leadership” and praised its ability to address the needs of the state and insurance industry.

“I attended Hampton University, an HBCU in Virginia, and this opportunity is one that I wish I would have been exposed to early on in my career,” Burger said. “Drs. (Andre and Ivonne) Liebenberg have done a phenomenal job giving these deserving students in the inaugural class an experience that will enhance and possibly change their life.”

During the symposium, graduates heard speakers on national insurance trends, leadership and regulatory issues. On Thursday evening, they gathered with members of their families and insurance firm representatives to celebrate their achievements.

Symone Piñero-Brooks, a JSU junior entrepreneurship major hailing from Oakland, California, said she has been especially pleased with the mentorship she has received, as well as the knowledge she has gained from working with professors and industry leaders.

“I will enter the workforce with a wealth of knowledge from this partnership program, as well as my new network of professionals,” Piñero-Brooks said. “I plan to apply my entrepreneurial skills to this industry and build a successful career.

“I look forward to being a conduit for anyone who has a curiosity to learn the language of this industry.”

By Erin Garrett