The St. John’s-MLMIC Foundations of Insurance program at St. John’s University received the Excellence in Employer Partnership Award from the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers, according to a June 2 announcement. The award recognizes employers and institutions whose collaborations help students move from academic settings into professional careers while supporting industry talent development.
The four-year-old Foundations of Insurance program prepares undergraduate and graduate students for careers in health-care liability insurance. It is managed by University Career Services through The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and operates independently from the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science. MLMIC, formerly Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company, is New York State’s largest medical malpractice insurer and a subsidiary of MedPro Group.
Robert Beaudet, Director of Advising and Employer Relations at University Career Services, said, “It is an industry that students overlook, but once students hear about it, they are interested. This program gives them an awareness of the industry and the skills to succeed in it.” Beaudet also said, “There are just so many opportunities that exist in insurance,” adding that it is probably one of the most stable industries.
More than 80 St. John’s students have participated since its inception; cohorts average about 20 participants each year across all majors and academic levels who apply during fall semester for spring enrollment. Of the first three cohorts totaling 57 students, 55 completed the program with 23 entering the industry; nineteen secured internships with either MLMIC or MedPro.
Program activities include six on-campus lectures or workshops plus two mentorship conferences with industry leaders each year as well as initiatives supporting broader career access such as an immersion day at MedPro’s Fort Wayne corporate offices—offering mentorships, professional development resources, and interview preparation.
David Ramdeen took part in Spring 2023’s inaugural cohort before becoming an actuarial analyst at Liberty Mutual Insurance: “It made the learning curve way easier for me,” Ramdeen said. “Being open to all students—that inclusivity is valuable since not everyone knows that they can find a lucrative career in the insurance industry. The program helps to fill that gap.”
St. John’s University supports multicultural initiatives through various centers; features campuses in Queens and Manhattan along with international sites; offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools; operates as a Catholic Vincentian institution dedicated to liberal arts education; and was led by Rev. Brian J. Shanley, according to its official website.
