running,” Hermes said.“ And we hope it’ s a big plus for the insurance industry.”
Another organization supporting the creation of the certificate program is the Kansas Insurance Education Foundation.
Formed as a nonprofit organization in 1981, the foundation’ s purpose is to educate the public about insurance and the insurance industry in Kansas. KIEF serves as trustee of the program funds, which are administered by the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents.
“ When the program was being developed, Commissioner Selzer needed to work through KIEF, and we fit the bill,” said Will Larson, KAIA attorney.
To date, more than $ 260,000 has been contributed to the program by insurance companies and financial institutions to fund the program. In addition to marketing and other related costs, Larson said the foundation funded $ 22,000 per semester for programs at Washburn, $ 28,000 per year at FHSU and $ 33,000 for the academic year at KU.
Corporate sponsors have also helped schools by supplementing course development, professor salaries, enrollment and purchasing technology. Scholarships are also provided by sponsors, if schools are willing to make them available to students.
Larson said the foundation will continue funding the certificate program until it is self-sufficient, which officials estimate being within the next three years.
“ The board who oversees the foundation is comprised of individuals from the insurance industry – the whole spectrum of the industry- which is a real benefit to the program, which is intended to support the industry,” he said.
“ We are excited about the possibilities of expanding this program,” Selzer said.“ The Kansas insurance industry is an $ 18 billion-a-year industry in the state. However, Kansas, as well as many other states, will soon be faced with a shortage of insurance industry employees. We think this initiative will help curtail the shortage and provide Kansans with good-paying, secure employment.”
Top Left: Barry Ward, SVP / CFO Security Benefit; Dean David Sollars, Washburn School of Business; Merri Incitti, Asst. Dean, Accreditation and Assessment Fort Hays State University; Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Insurance Commissioner. Bottom Right: Members of the media and insurance industry watch as Kansas Insurance Commissioner announce the Kansas Insurance Education Fund( KIEF) education initiative, ksinsurancecertificate. org
| September- October 2016 | KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
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