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Updated 5/15/2009
Around the Nation
On any given day, InVEST is launching or expanding its presence in schools around the nation. While 31 states are actively involved with InVEST, 23 of those states have actual active programs with plans to start new programs in more states this year. Here are snapshots from around the country: Alabama
There are active programs at Christ the King School and Spain Park High School. Arkansas
There is an active program at Blytheville High School. John Bratton, Professor of Insurance & Risk Management University of Central Arkansas contacted us and is working on implementing programs in Arkansas. John expressed interest in wanting to create an InVEST workshop for Arkansas teachers either in the fall or next year where InVEST teachers “teach” other teachers how to implement an InVEST program from start to finish – which obviously led to our discussion on our workshop. I let him know if he arranged that we would certainly assist him and one of us would head over for that. He said he’s rather certain he can get UCA (University of Central Arkansas) to foot the bill for it – how cool! Ironically, he is educating the current students of the insurance fraternity (Gamma Iota Sigma) to serve as advocates for InVEST and when they graduate are then able to be the liaison for schools.
Dennis Beinecke of the Arkansas Association has followed John’s lead with InVEST and contacted all teachers John has taught at his Institute courses. He immediately received 16 responses from teachers interested in implementing InVEST in their school. Dennis is meeting with teachers in the coming months and has a goal to have three programs implemented by Fall. 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. Dave Kern of TriCounty Insurance indicated that things are moving right along in CA. Jenn Thuma will be the point person for IBA West taking over the CA Careers in March. Dave will be working with her to prepare the relationships between the locals and the community colleges. In addition, Dave is pursuing his local association (IBA San Fernando Valley) to help spearhead the program and act as mentors towards the other locals. There are five existing active programs in this state. 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. The committee is designing an insurance “101” type class which will become part of the associate degree program. Existing InVEST high school programs around the state continue to receive support from CT. A new high school program will begin in January 2009 in Norwalk, CT.
Board member Neal Montgomery and teacher Ralph Gray of East Harford met with administrators of Goodwin College in January 09 who are anxious to begin implementing the InVEST community college curriculum. InVEST program manager, Jennifer Robinson, Travelers’ Annual Job Shadow Day in Hartford. This year the CT Ins Commissioner addressed the students, as well as a current InVEST student interning with Travelers. InVEST subsidized the cost of a NH teacher to attend, who has a stated interest in starting a program. Also, Jennifer was able to attend the InVEST classes at both E. Hartford & Bloomfield High Schools.
District of Columbia
InVEST staff, along with several representatives from the DC NAAIA chapter and the president of MDCIIA met with Theodore Roosevelt High School in Northwest DC and the program coordinator for DC Public Schools to implement InVEST in TRHS and possibly three other area high schools. The group is working on budgets and the class outline including field trips, job shadows, guest speakers, etc. and is hoping to gain course approval by the end of April. 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. There are thirty-two existing active programs in Florida. St. Petersburg Catholic High School and their InVEST teacher, Gary Preston, have developed an articulation agreement between St. Petersburg College and the high school so beginning Fall 2010 students who completed the InVEST program at St. Pete will receive three credit hours at no cost at the college.
Georgia
Clayton State University has expressed interest in starting an insurance program at the school. Rick Viall of Viall Insurance Agency has interest in supporting this potential program by offering internships and possibly acting as a guest speaker.
Illinois
Michelle Fesi, immediate past president of the Chicago Chapter of CPCU, contacted national staff indicating they had interest in philanthropic opportunities with InVEST. The Chicago Chapter currently supports several organizations financially but none of them related to insurance. They are also interested in possibly bringing InVEST/insurance instruction into an after-school program which introduces students to all sorts of business related topics such as insurance. Indiana
There is an active program at Austin High School.
Kansas
Gene Brake, immediate past president of the Greater Kansas City Association of Independent Insurance Agents (GKCAIIA) is working to get a committee put together in effort to get a program started in the area. Erin Rosso-Lesser, Membership & Education Coordinator at Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA) is working with an agent who is interested in implementing a program at a local high school.
Kentucky
The IIA of Kentucky has developed data, a PowerPoint presentation and has made contact with the community college system in Louisville. Jefferson Community and Technical College are ready to begin an InVEST program in Fall 2009. They programs will be using the curriculum for the AAI Certification program, specifically AAI 81, 82 and 83.
There is one existing program at Russellville Area Technology Center.
Louisiana
There are active InVEST programs at Acadania High School and Higgins High School, despite the challenges facing the insurance and educational communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Maryland
There is an active program at Frederick County Career & Technology Center. Massachusetts
Minuteman Regional High School launched the first InVEST program in their state January 2009. The teacher was contacted by an independent agent who informed her of the program and what it would afford her students.
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. There are existing active programs at O'Bannon High School, Hancock High School and & Velma Jackson Magnet School. Montana
The Independent Insurance Agents Association of Montana created a program at Miles Community College. The program is pending Montana Board of Regents approval. Nebraska
The Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska is developing InVEST programs 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.
IIAN is meeting with Northeast Community College to implement an InVEST program. Nevada
Tom Burns, the national director of NIIA called and indicated that he was interested in some information about InVEST. NIIA has made the initial contact and explained the program to both their potential funding source and to the Nevada Higher Education System (NSHE), which oversees the community college system through which InVEST would operate. They are at a temporary stop due to the dismal budgeting problems in Nevada, with a Legislative Session coming up in which to address these problems. NSHE has asked NIIA to hold-off until after the Session, which ends in June, at which time they will talk to us again. The project is "top shelved" and NIIA will revisit InVEST w/NSHE in July. New Hampshire
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Hampshire are working with Derry High School and Southern New Hampshire University to implement programs. There is an existing program at Spaulding High School. New Jersey
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New Jersey (IIABNJ) are working with Mercer County Community College to launch a degree program in the fall of 2009. The college will be presenting it to their board at an April meeting. This would be an Insurance and Financial Services Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Management. This program will start with MCC’s business curriculum and then use the online INS programs and IIABNJ’s online pre-licensing course. 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 2008 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 kicked off October 21, 2008 and consists of two modules, thus preparing students for careers in the insurance industry. The first module runs for five weeks and introduces the basics of insurance and prepares 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. There are eleven existing programs in New York. Thirty-eight students enrolled in the InVEST program viewed their career potential recently, as they toured the suburban Syracuse offices of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. The juniors and seniors attend the New York State schools of Dryden High School in Dryden, Groton High School, Groton, McGraw High School in McGraw and Charles O. Dickerson High School, Trumansburg. 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. The IIA of NC is also working with East Carolina University to implement a four year program for insurance. Board is in place but is not expected to begin offering the program for a few years. Ohio
The Ohio InVEST Committee is establishing relationships with Ohio Northern University, University of Akron's Medina County University Center, Owens Community College and Bucyrus School District. National InVEST staff had a conference call with a new Ohio InVEST committee who is working to find a chairman. They have several schools they want to target and also will be contacting InVEST liaisons outside of Ohio to see how they offer their program.
Don Spickler spoke to 25 administrators about InVEST at the Ohio School Board in Parma, OH in January 09. In February 09, Don also spoke to the Insurance Board of Northern Ohio and invited guests from the Northeast Ohio school system about the program. Bill Pierson, InVEST executive director addressed the Insurance Board of Northern Ohio in Cleveland at their monthly meeting, which included approximately 80 in attendance, including several educators. The InVEST message was very well received, with numerous follow up conversations with individuals interested in the InVEST approach to workforce development. InVEST board member Kent Daugherty arranged a meeting with a representative from the Ohio Dept of Education. Ohio has a mandate to have a financial literacy requirement in the schools by July 1, 2010. The meeting went very well, and another meeting will soon take place with several other folks from the Department of Ed.
There are two active programs at Cloverleaf High School & Wadsworth High School. Oklahoma
The Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma is developing an InVEST program at a local community college.
Bob Bramlett, a member of the Big “I” executive Committee, referred Steve Mills, CEO of Ardmore Higher Education Center (AHEC), to InVEST. Bob served on the board of this education center for about 9 years and indicated that they have contracts with multiple colleges and universities that can allow students to obtain degrees as high as their masters. Bob has had a couple conversations with Steve who has expressed interest in bringing insurance into the center. Spoke to Steve Mills regarding his interest in implementing InVEST at Ardmore. Since AHEC is a consortion, they need to get interest/approval from their college partners before setting up a new program at the center. Pennsylvania
Esperanza High School (charter-public) launched the first InVEST program May 2009 with help from several location insurance professionals. The school has the help of St. Joseph’s University’s School of Insurance and plans to offer at least two $2,000 scholarships to InVEST graduates from Esperanza entering St. Joseph’s. Clarion University is working with the local CPCU Society and has established a local insurance advisory board. InVEST staff was contacted by an agent in Shrewsbury, PA who is interesting in assisting high school programs in his area. InVEST staff is reaching out to four area high schools the agent mentioned and will work with him to develop active InVEST classes.
Rhode Island
The Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island is implementing InVEST in three schools and is providing guest speakers to a fourth school. There are two active programs at Tollgate High School and Rhode Island College. Jean Nagle, IIARI is currently communicating with another school who is interested in implementing the program.
South Carolina
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina are supporting an initiative to offer an insurance education course in South Carolina public schools.
South Dakota
Larry Ahrendt of South Dakota Association of Insurance Agents is working with 5 secondary vo tech schools throughout the state of South Dakota. Larry met with Presidents and Vice Presidents of the 5 schools and has been given the "go ahead" to implement online insurance courses to business students, despite budget issues and the challenge of recruiting students. He anticipates this to begin in Fall 2009, starting out with 10-15 students.
Jesse Konold of Key Insurance just started the first program in the state, with the first class held December 3, 2008. Jesse did the leg work on his own and contacted a school in Mobridge, SD who agreed the program would add value for its students. Tennessee
There are three active programs at West Greene High School, Westwood High School and Lebanon High School. InVEST executive director, Bill Pierson, was a guest of the Insurors of Memphis (local IIAB chapter) for their first ever job shadow day. Fifteen insurance/risk management majors from Ole Miss, Miss St, Christian Bros. Univ, and Middle Tennessee St. were divided into five groups and spent the day shadowing staff at five independent agencies. Mr. Pierson provided a power point/DVD presentation to about 65 comprised primarily of independent agents. Remarks were well received, and Sharon Simmons, the Sec/Treas of the Insurors of Memphis has been selected to be the Tennessee state champion, and will attend the InVEST State Champions workshop this summer.
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.
Gloucester High School is involved with the National Academy Foundation (NAF), and has an InVEST program. National staff met in October 2008 with the teacher, principal, and local NAF board to discuss InVEST. They are looking for an insurance agent to join the local NAF board. In addition, there is an active program at Deep Run High School. Washington
With the help of InVEST, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington (IIABW) 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. InVEST and IIABW are working together with the Northshore School District to offer InVEST in all of their high schools.
There is an existing program at Snohomish High School. West Virginia
Brian Thomas, Immediate Past President of the IIA of West VA, and principal with the Insurance Center Agency has plans to contact several high schools in the Morgantown area regarding InVEST. He has had discussion with InVEST staff and packet of info has been sent in December, 2008. State Exec, Gray Marion, had provided contact info to Thomas. Jen Dlugasch, IIABA Government Affairs staff, attended the Southern Agent Conference December 12-14, 2008 and has been asked to provide new InVEST developments to attendees.
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