Around the Nation

On any given day, InVEST is launching or expanding its presence in schools around the nation. The program is active in 22 states (including the 14 new classrooms introduced in 2007), with plans to start new programs in 16 more states this year. Here are snapshots from around the country:

California
There are 19 community colleges offering insurance courses as a part of the California Insurance Careers Program, and two high schools will be teaching InVEST as a part of their financial academies.

Colorado
Arapahoe Community College is working with a local independent agent to explore the development of an InVEST program.

Connecticut
The Connecticut InVEST committee is launching an insurance associate degree program at Capital City Community College, while supporting existing InVEST high school programs around the state.

Florida
The Florida Association of Insurance Agents is working with the Florida Association of Community Colleges to develop an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. There is interest from Florida International University, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Florida Atlantic University, Jacksonville University and St. Petersburg College, among others.

Idaho
A new community college in Boise is working with a local agent to develop a non-credit, vocational-style InVEST program. And the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Idaho is contacting high schools in an effort to develop InVEST programs.

Louisiana
There are active InVEST programs at two high schools, despite the challenges facing the insurance and educational communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Mississippi
The Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi is at various stages of InVEST implementation with 11 high schools. And the association continues to support the insurance program at Hinds Community College, the largest community college in the state.

Montana
The Independent Insurance Agents Association of Montana is working with Miles Community College to implement an InVEST program.

Nebraska
The Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska is developing InVEST program in two distinct geographic areas: In Gering, Western Nebraska Community College would like to implement InVEST as a full year standalone course. In Lincoln, IIAN leaders are talking with Southeast Community College.

New Hampshire
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Hampshire is working with Derry High School and Southern New Hampshire University to implement programs.

New Jersey
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Jersey is working with Mercer County Community College to launch a business degree with a minor in insurance in the fall of 2008. Chubb Insurance is developing internship opportunities for the best graduates of the program.

New Mexico
New Mexico State University has a four-year university program with a minor in insurance, and it recently started an Actuarial Science program in cooperation with the math department. The Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico has formed a committee to explore the possibility of starting an InVEST community college program in the state.

The IIA of New Mexico has developed and launched a nine week insurance program at Central New Mexico Community College. Jeff Straight, Education Director of the IIANM, lead this project after attending the recently held InVEST State Champions Workshop in Westfield Center, Ohio. Through ongoing collaboration with CNM Community College and the CNM’s Workforce Training Center, this specific program was designed to offer innovative, customized training and skill development to students that have decided to make career changes. The program, which is scheduled to kickoff October 21, will consist of two modules, thus preparing students for careers in the insurance industry. The first module is scheduled to run for five weeks and will introduce the basics of insurance and prepare students for the state insurance licensing exam. Upon completion of the first module, students have the option to go directly to work in the industry or continue on to the second four week module, comprised of computer and insurance management system training. Additionally, once students have completed the program, they will have the opportunity to be placed with local agents who are in need of new talent.

New York
Excelsior College in Albany offers an online bachelors degree in Insurance and Risk Management, and it is welcoming insurance students at Hudson Valley Community College to transfer their credits to Excelsior upon completion of that two-year program. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York has an agreement with Excelsior College to offer members a significant discount on the college’s insurance courses.

North Carolina
The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina is supporting the InVEST program at AB Technical Community College, and recently implemented a program at Beddingfield High School in Wilson. And agents from around the state are looking to launch two additional  programs.

Ohio
The InVEST Ohio State Champions Committee is establishing relationships with Ohio Northern University, University of Akron's Medina County University Center, Owens Community College and Bucyrus School District.

Oklahoma
The Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma is developing an InVEST program at a local community college.

Pennsylvania
St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia is working with InVEST national staff to incorporate a program into the school’s Academy of Insurance and Risk Management, as well as develop feeder programs in local high schools. Clarion University is working with the local CPCU Society and has established a local insurance advisory board.

Rhode Island
The Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island is implementing InVEST in three schools and is providing guest speakers to a fourth school.

South Carolina
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina is supporting an initiative to offer an insurance education course in South Carolina public schools.

Utah
LDS Business College requires all students in its Executive Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant and Legal Administrative Assistant programs to complete the Introduction to Insurance course. The school is working toward offering a two year insurance degree in the near future.

Virginia
The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia’s Recruitment Committee is reaching out to 30 high schools that indicated an interest in offering the InVEST program. There are 45 agents and company representatives supporting this initiative.

Washington
With the help of InVEST and input from other insurance industry representatives, Bellevue Community College has developed and launched a new insurance certificate program – the first of its kind in the state of Washington. Elaine Tuttle, instructor and insurance career program coordinator, spearheaded this project and was able to help BCC receive state approval to offer college credit and a certificate for the program, which will prepare students for careers in the insurance industry.