Our programs:
- B.S in finance, concentration in risk management and insurance
- Analyze and communicate findings about complex financial issues.
- Minor in risk management and insurance
- Gain perspective through four core courses and a wide range of electives.
About Our Program
The VCU Risk Management and Insurance Program is home to a nationally recognized program that prepares students for high-demand careers in risk management, financial services and other areas of the insurance industry.
Our students have access to:
- Networking — Attending VCU RMI events and career-enhancing meetings and conferences exposes students to networking opportunities with industry leaders and professionals.
- Scholarships — Through ongoing industry support, the RMI Program is able to offer significant scholarship funding each academic year.
- Internships — Paid and for-credit internships with industry employers are available to students to provide real world experience AND bolster resumes.
- Employment — Risk management insurance is a high-demand industry with 500,000 new jobs projected in the next five years.
Get involved
Gamma Iota Sigma is the international business fraternity for students pursuing careers in insurance, risk management and actuarial science. Student leaders and faculty advisors work to provide career-focused events and trainings, exposing students to industry leaders. Active GIS students who are successful academically often graduate with multiple job offers in the industry.
Current students, please check out our GIS RamsConnect page here. Questions, email graingerl@vcu.edu.
The VCU RMI Program hosts numerous events throughout the year for both students and regional RMI industry professionals. If you are interested in attending an event, please email rmi@vcu.edu.
- The RMI Trends Talks are virtual, quarterly events designed to keep the RMI community engaged in regular dialogue about trends, issues, and current events impacting the industry.
- The Psychology of Money with Tom Gayner, Markel CEO and Morgan Housel, author, The Psychology of Money: February 16, 2023
- Spencer Foundation Risk Manager on Campus: March 20 - 21, 2023
The VCU RMI Program has received a grant from the Spencer Foundation to participate in their Risk Manager on Campus Program. During the visit in March, the Spencer Foundation Risk Manager will attend RMI classes, speak to Gamma Iota Sigma students, and speak to students, alumni, and industry partners at a premier luncheon event.
The RMI Expo is an opportunity for all VCU students to learn about the diverse RMI career opportunities in risk management and insurance, without the pressure of a recruiting event. In a fun setting with food, prizes, and activities, students can earn prizes by visiting the broad selection of company booths. We have representation from carriers, brokers, private and public sector risk managers, and our student and alumni Gamma Iota Sigma chapters.
We are thankful for industry partners who choose to participate in our Annual Program Sponsorship program. These sponsorships provide enriched experiences and valuable programming for students. Through these opportunities, valuable connections are created between our students and RMI-focused companies and organizations.
The RMI Program offers retirement planning seminars taught by outside industry professionals. Learn how to manage investment risks, use new tax laws to your advantage, make informed decisions about your company retirement plan and adjust your estate plan based on new laws. This course blends financial education with life planning to help you build wealth, align your money with your values and achieve your retirement lifestyle goals.
The RMI Advisory Council partners with the RMI Program to advance the quality and relevance of its educational efforts and bring practical real world experience to the program.
This outstanding group of risk management and insurance executives benefits RMI majors by providing advice on the quality and relevance of VCU educational and research programs, offering student internships and providing counsel for our webinars and other events. Members also lecture to classes and speak at student events. Please reach out to rmi@vcu.edu if you are interested in serving on our Advisory Council.
The Around The Region newsletter is emailed every three weeks about events and career opportunities in the area. You may click the link to view it or click this link to subscribe to the newsletter.
Davis Ratcliffe Insurance Award
Given annually to the student who exhibits strong character, scholastic achievement in insurance courses, and demonstrates an interest in a career in the insurance industry. This award is named for the late Davis Ratcliffe, a former insurance industry executive who established the insurance program at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1969.
Maggie Gill
Finance - Risk Management and Insurance, 2024
Maggie Gill, an RMI concentration student at VCU, was involved with VCU RMI program events, the Alpha Mu chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma at VCU and traveled to the GIS National Conference in Baltimore, MD and the WSIA Extreme Risk Takers Symposium in Chicago, IL. Notably, she was also selected to attend the 2024 RIMS Conference in San Diego as part of the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program. Maggie interned at James River Insurance Company and secured a full-time job with IAT Insurance Group in Chicago, IL after graduation.
John Eshler
William J. Ragland
Tamia P. Frye-FordIndustry Connections
Thanks to our corporate partners for generously providing scholarships, internships, jobs, and also their time participating in student enrichment events.
Becoming a part of the RMI program was one of the best decisions I have made.
-Alan Castillo, Associate Underwriter with James River Insurance Company, Class of 2016
Insurance is the backbone of the American economy. It is the key tool of risk management that helps to facilitate commerce.
-Kyle Samuel, CIC, Managing Director at USI Insurance Services