This article is part of a sponsored series by Risk & Insurance Education Alliance.
For decades, the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance has supported professional development across the insurance and risk management industry, delivering respected designations and helping professionals connect education with real-world practice.
But did you know that the Alliance also works with nearly 50 colleges and universities nationwide through its University Associate (UA) Program? Through this program, the Alliance partners with faculty to integrate industry-aligned curriculum, professional designation pathways, and exam waivers into college classrooms, helping students build confidence, credibility, and early momentum as they prepare to enter the workforce.
In recognition of Insurance Careers Month, we invited several university faculty partners to reflect on their experiences with the UA Program, the value of academic–industry collaboration, and why early credentialing matters for students pursuing careers in insurance and financial services.
The faculty and their respective universities are listed below.
Contributing Faculty:
Jill Bisco, Ph.D., CIC, CRM, CPRM, CSRM, Assistant Professor of Risk Management and Insurance, Illinois State University
Fred “Rick” Bondurant, CIC, CRM, Associate Professor of Practice, Texas Tech University
Natalie Borneo, MBA, ARM, Distinguished Lecturer, Fisk University
Juan Zhang, Ph.D., ASA, Assistant Professor of Insurance, Ball State University
How the UA Program Supports Industry-Aligned Curriculum in the Classroom
Universities increasingly seek industry partners who can help ensure academic programs remain relevant, rigorous, and aligned with evolving professional expectations. A core component of the UA Program is providing faculty and students with accessible, classroom-ready instructional resources that reflect current industry practices. Through the program, students receive free digital textbooks aligned with professional designation content, while faculty are supported with ready-to-use presentation materials and teaching resources that integrate seamlessly into existing syllabi. Reduced exam fees lower financial barriers for students and encourage early engagement with professional credentials.
How does partnering with the Alliance help you deliver real-world, industry-aligned education in the classroom?
RickBondurant, Texas Tech University:
Texas Tech’s Corporate Risk Management & Insurance is a new certificate programstarting from scratch. The Alliance understandswhere the industry is going and what professionals need to stay ahead. The course material includes real-world examples,ready-to-use outlines,and presentation materials.I can spend more time putting together supplemental case material from my own 45 years of industry practice.
What Makes the UA Program a True Academic–Industry Partnership
Effective university–industry partnerships extend beyond access to curriculum. The UA Program emphasizes ongoing collaboration and shared commitment to education, positioning the Alliance as a long-term academic partner rather than a transactional content provider.
What makes the Alliance feel like a true partner in education?
Jill Bisco, Illinois State University:
Certain careers – including risk management and insurance – require continuing education due to the ever-changing aspects of the industry. Students need to understand that when working in this industry, education doesn’t end with graduation. Providing students the opportunity to start working on designations while still in school will show the importance of this. It will also allow them to demonstrate to potential employers that they value lifelong learning.
Juan Zhang, Ball State University:
Professional designations are an important part of preparing students for careers in insurance or financial services because they add strong value to a student’s résumé and demonstrate early commitment to the profession. By earning or working toward a designation, students can better identify their interests, plan their career pathways more effectively, and enter the workforce with a competitive advantage and greater confidence.
NatalieBorneo, Fisk University
The material is developed in community with industry and therefore reflective ofaccurateinformation that isnot the same assome of the material provided through other industry education organizations.
How has working with the Alliance strengthened the credibility of your academic program?
JuanZhang, Ball State University:
Working with the Alliance strengthens the credibility of our program by directly aligning our curriculum with the Alliance’s designation exams. By offering course waivers toward these professional designations, we increase the tangible value of our coursework and clearlydemonstrateits relevance to students’ future careers. Students benefit by being better prepared for jobs in the field and by shortening the time needed to complete designation requirements.
JillBisco, Illinois State University:
Our UA program is stillrather new. We are just now having students come to the faculty to ask how to make the most of the opportunities that The Alliance provides. This is great news as it shows that students understand the value of the designations. Students are starting to spread the word about theirexperienceandmore and morestudents are looking at the opportunities offered by The Alliance.This not only helps the students but also shows the university program’s interest in preparing students for their future careers.
Why Professional Designations Matter in Risk Management and Insurance Education
Risk management and insurance are professions defined by ongoing regulatory change and evolving risk exposure. Introducing students to professional designation pathways during college reinforces expectations around lifelong learning and professional development early in their academic careers.
Why are professional designations an important part of preparing students for careers in insurance and financial services?
JillBisco, Illinois State University:
Certain careers – including risk management and insurance – require continuing education due to the ever-changing aspects of the industry. Students need to understand that when working in this industry, educationdoesn’tend with graduation.Providingstudents the opportunity to start working on designations while still in school will show the importance of this. It will also allow them todemonstrateto potential employers that they valuelifelonglearning.
JuanZhang, Ball State University:
Professional designations are an important part of preparing students for careers in insurance or financial services because they add strong value to a student’s résumé anddemonstrateearly commitment to the profession.By earning or working toward a designation, students can betteridentifytheir interests, plan their career pathways more effectively, and enter the workforce with a competitive advantage and greater confidence.
What advantages do students gain by beginningdesignationcoursework whilethey’restill in college?
RickBondurant, Texas Tech University:
Pursuing a professional designation while still in college signals an early appreciation ofexpertiseto future employers, peers,and clients. A student who earns a designation during college alsodemonstratesan early orientation towards professionalism.
JuanZhang, Ball State University:
At this stage, students are already in a strong learning mindset and are immersed in an academic environment that supports studying and skill development. Feedback from past students shows that they study more efficiently in college and often spend less time preparing for each exam than they would after entering the workforce, when job demands and family responsibilities can make studying more challenging.
How Early Credentialing Helps Students Stand Out with Employers
Early credentialing provides a clear signal for employers and internship programs in a broad and diverse industry. By pursuing professional designations in college, students demonstrate focus, commitment, and emerging expertise.
How does early credentialing help students differentiate themselves with employers or internship programs?
Natalie Borneo, Fisk University
Early credentialing is a win-win for both the employer,industryand the student. The industry is getting abetter-qualified candidate, both academically with their degree and with the skill setrequiredfor entry-levelpositions. On the student side, it gives them more confidence in their ability to master the work that they will be introduced to. With less technical information to learn, they can focus on elevating their performance and working at 100%.
Supporting Faculty and Strengthening Student Outcomes
The University Associate Program is designed to support faculty who want to deliver relevant, industry-aligned education while helping students enter the workforce with confidence and early momentum. By partnering with the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, universities gain access to curriculum resources, professional designation pathways, exam waivers, and a national network committed to developing the next generation of insurance and risk management professionals.
Faculty and academic leaders interested in strengthening their programs, enhancing student outcomes, and connecting classroom learning to real-world practice are encouraged to explore the University Associate Program and learn how the Alliance can support their teaching and their students’ career readiness.
Learn more about the risk and insurance programs featured in these articles:
To learn more about the University Associate (UA) Program, please contact us at academy@riskeducation.org.
Media Contact:
Noelle Codispoti, CPCU
Head of The Risk & Insurance Research Academy
Ncodispoti@riskeducation.org
512-349-3324
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