Kent State University has named Carmen E. Edgehouse Jr. as its executive in residence for the insurance studies degree program. He is the vice president and director of Oswald Companies Property and Casualty Middle Market team, based in Cleveland.
In this role, Edgehouse will serve as an industry resource to current Kent State students pursuing the insurance studies degree, while also working to provide opportunities for current insurance industry employees who wish to earn or complete college degrees. He is participating in student recruitment efforts, as well as working to create partnerships with industry companies and professional associations to promote the degree program.
“We are extremely excited about this newly-created position, because it will serve as an important bridge between the insurance industry and the university. This professional connection will help our students through networking with industry experts and provide them with career-building opportunities within a dynamic profession,” said Dr. David Dees, dean and chief administrative officer for Kent State’s Columbiana County campuses.
Edgehouse graduated from Kent State University in 2002, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing. He joined Oswald in 2005 and now leads a dedicated client service team that focuses on brokering and risk advisory services of property and casualty insurance programs for hundreds of clients with total premiums in excess of $200 million. His expertise lies in servicing the property and casualty risk management needs of middle market and large corporations across the United States and abroad.
Kent State’s Bachelor of Science degree in insurance studies provides students with the academic background for career entry into the insurance industry. The program includes concentrations in property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and a concentration for students who hold CPCU designations from the American Institute for Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters.
Students can complete this degree program online or through a combination of online and on-campus classes. Courses specific to insurance studies are offered online, while all other courses required for this degree are available online or in a classroom at any Kent State University campus.
"The innovation that Kent State has demonstrated in the development of the insurance studies program addresses a significant talent gap that is looming in our industry. As a KSU grad, I am deeply committed to ensure that we foster growth of the program, and couldn’t be more excited to serve as the executive in residence to help introduce the next generation of leaders to the unlimited career paths that the insurance industry has to offer,” Edgehouse said. “Oswald Companies is thrilled to partner with Kent State in this endeavor as we collaborate with other industry-leading organizations to boost enrollment and provide unique experiences for its students."
Cleveland-based and employee-owned, Oswald is one of the nation’s largest independent insurance brokerage and risk management firms. As a proud Partner of Assurex Global, the world’s largest association of privately held insurance brokers, its risk management professionals service and support the needs of clients worldwide.
To learn more about the insurance studies degree program at Kent State University, visit www.kent.edu/columbiana/insurance.
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Photo: Carmen E. Edgehouse Jr.