The Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management program recently welcomed its sixth cohort to its first of two on-campus residencies, familiarizing students with the program and the resources available to them at Columbia University. The new cohort connected with faculty and peers through team-building and networking activities. New students were impressed by the returning students and alumni, some from out of state, who came to campus specifically to welcome them.
“A student’s success in the program relies on their ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in teams as they balance the pursuit of personal goals,” said Teresa Chan, director of the M.P.S. in Insurance Management program. “We cultivate a strong community beginning with the residency through intentional coursework, interactive assignments, and access to the University, and we reinforce that support during and after the program by inviting them back for events like this.”
The M.P.S. in Insurance Management is a primarily online program that combines online asynchronous learning with two required residencies in New York City. The first serves as an orientation to the program, reacclimating professionals to an academic environment while providing professional development and industry networking. The second residency brings students back to our New York City campus for their applied research presentations.
Over the past six years, the program has consistently drawn a diverse group of professionals who represent each facet of the insurance ecosystem. The environment created by the composition of the cohort is one that replicates the real world and the coursework simulates the challenges the program is preparing students to face.
Here are some of the highlights from the residency:
Fireside chat with Janet Pane, CEO and Executive Director, Excess Line Association of NY.
Alana Gomez-Wagner (‘26SPS) engages guest speaker Janet Pane.
Corporate Advisory Network members Ho Tay Ma, Scor RE, and Natina Berry, NAAIA, welcome new student Cheyenne Harmon during the reception.
Many thanks to current students Alana Gomez-Wagner and Anupama Porwal, and Sustainability Management alum Cheryl Poccia, for attending.
Priceless: All the students, alumni and faculty who came from near and far to support the new cohort, including Amanda Lindquist, Amanda Bill, Aisling Jumper, Patrick Williamson, Jonathan Backlund, and Laura Hoensh.
Congratulations to all of our new students, including Susann Rivera, Oz Chavez, Cheyenne Harmon, Elise Tran, and Rikako Hamaguchi.
About the Program
The Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management is for career professionals who want to accelerate their advancement to leadership positions or broaden their expertise in the industry. It accommodates both professionals already working in insurance and those who have transferable skills to make a career change. The program is part-time, online, and instruction is asynchronous to accommodate working professionals.
Applications are reviewed and candidates are accepted on a rolling basis for the M.P.S. in Insurance Management program. Learn more about the program here.
