ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 13, 2024—InvestSM, the insurance industry's premier insurance education program, has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to three students pursuing insurance-related degrees. A nonprofit organization, Invest works in high school and college classrooms across the U.S. to educate, train and attract the next generation of insurance professionals.
We are thrilled to support our collegebound scholarship recipients as they pursue career opportunities across the insurance industry," says Whitnee Dillard, executive director of Invest. We look forward to not only financially assisting these deserving students but to also serve as a mentoring support to them throughout these upcoming years. Thank you to our educators, volunteers, donors and the Invest Board of Directors for their ongoing support in making this happen."
Investdevelops future insurance professionals through academic programs, online education, mentoring and scholarships. In high schools, the program offers students a business curriculum focusing on insurance, as well as the dynamics of insurance agencies and companies. At the college level, the program develops students' risk management and financial analysis skills. Through Invest, students and others learn about exciting and well-paying career opportunities in an industry that is rapidly evolving through technology.
Invest does crucial work to attract new talent to the insurance industry through academic curricula and a variety of other programs that we look to expand as well," says Charles Symington, Big I" president & CEO. We congratulate these well-deserving students on their scholarships. This is just one way we're proud to continue to equip workers who are new to the industry as they seek out the many great employment opportunities in insurance."
Scholarship hopefuls submitted essays describing the influence of Investon their career plans. Invest board member judges selected recipients based on the quality of their essays, looking for evidence of leadership throughout the application and passion for a future in the insurance industry. Other factors used in the judging process include a letter of recommendation, the applicant's grade point average, and in-depth interviews conducted by the student with industry personnel in their community. 2024 scholarship winners will connect with Invest board members twice a year for mentorship for the length of their college career. Scholarships are funded through corporate and direct contributions.
The 2024 scholarship winners are from Florida and New York.
- Ben Graham, William Boone High School, Florida
- Brennan Torrico, Dryden High School, New York
- Carly Rogella, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida
About Invest
As a 501(c)(3) educational trust, Invest benefits from the support of numerous insurance organizations, hundreds of agencies, brokers, and volunteers. The program provides the insurance industry with motivated, talented, and intelligent professionals through a support structure of state associations, board members, national staff, teachers, and the many industry professionals who work in the field as classroom liaisons. For more information, visit the Invest website.
About the Big 'I'
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big I") is the nation's oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement productsfrom a variety of insurance companies.