Ohio Lt. Gov. to Bring Insurance Career Awareness Campaign to UC's Lindner College of Business

Faced with dramatic shortages of professionals in the insurance industry, Ohio Gov. John Kasich partnered with insurance stakeholders to raise awareness and fill the talent gap.

Ohio’s Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor will bring the

Insuring Ohio Futures

awareness campaign to the Carl H. Lindner College of Business at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13. UC President Santa J. Ono, Lindner College of Business Dean David Szymanski and Center Director Steve Slezak will join her on the sixth floor of the college for remarks on forging partnerships between the insurance industry, risk management professionals and institutions of higher education to ensure the talent gap is closed. 

According to a work force-development study, the insurance industry expects an availability of 17,000 jobs over the next five years because of an aging, retiring work force. The study notes that Ohio’s insurance industry ranks seventh in the nation with more than 100,000 employees and an annual statewide economic impact of nearly $6 billion.

Through industry partnerships and educational programs, the Carl H. Lindner III Center for Insurance and Risk Management will play a critical role in work force development.

“Our college is stepping up to create pathways for students to get into the great careers in insurance and risk management by offering a new major and minor in insurance and risk management,” Slezak says.

Recently launched as the first of its kind in Ohio to combine academic programs, research and industry outreach, the Center for Insurance and Risk Management will equip students with skills in managing risk within insurance or financial service firms or within corporations.

“Students can specialize in specific aspects of insurance and risk management, including finance and investment management, risk analytics, health care, marketing and distribution, and actuarial science,” Slezak says.

The new Insurance and Risk Management major and minor will be available beginning winter/spring semester. The program will strike a balance between providing a general framework for risk management and give specific insights into insurance, an industry that employs people from a variety of disciples, including accounting, finance, information systems, advertising, sales and sales management and operations.