April 4, 2006 issue

I used to work in insurance claims for a long time at Chrysler. When I was told they were phasing out my job, I saw an advertisement for a risk management position at Eastern Michigan University. I was interested because I had received my master's degree here years before. It was an opportunity to come back, which intrigued me.

I started here in 2002. Probably the biggest thing we take care of in Risk Management is purchasing insurance, and working with the Michigan Universities Self-Insurance Corporation, or M.U.S.I.C. (11 of Michigan's 15 public universities are members that pool their resources and obtain low-cost insurance coverage). We're not just buying insurance policies, but managing our insurance needs. Though we have a small staff, we don't feel we're alone in Risk Management. We interact with risk managers of other universities in Michigan, bouncing ideas off each other on a steady basis.

I like the diversity of the job. I like that every day is different. At certain times of the year, I work with insurance renewals or work with the M.U.S.I.C. group, planning out how to reduce risks. Other days, I review contracts or work with building reviews. We contract to have a loss control specialist come out each year to consult on life safety issues, and do property reviews, inspecting water sprinklers, fire pumps, fire doors and mechanical rooms.

To get an opportunity to use other parts of my background is rewarding. I've been able to use my insurance background to develop my risk management skills. I interact with students, faculty and staff to discuss claims, contract language and insurance renewals. I have also gotten to know many people on campus this way. It's been a great experience.

 

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