Portland State University’s The School of Business is leading the way in Oregon after securing a $25,000 grant from the Spencer Educational Foundation to launch a brand-new Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) course. This makes PSU the first university in Oregon to receive this specific grant. The RMI course, with its first class kicking off in Spring 2026, is getting a boost from the Oregon Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), which will help students get crucial hands-on exposure to local professionals.
Ken Goldstein, University Partnerships Director at the Spencer Educational Foundation, is thrilled to see this new program come to life, noting the clear benefits for students: “The Spencer Educational Foundation is very pleased to support programs that bridge academic learning and real-world experience. This Risk Management and Insurance initiative equips students with practical knowledge and fosters the development of future leaders.”
This excitement is shared locally. Jackie Kamstra, President of The RIMS Oregon Chapter, sees this as a vital step in career preparation, “Portland State University’s Risk Management and Insurance program represents a meaningful investment in the next generation of professionals. By providing students with direct exposure to industry practices, this initiative strengthens their skills and prepares them for success in a complex and evolving environment.”
Qing Hu, Dean of The School of Business, emphasized how this combination of classroom and hands-on experience is central to PSU’s mission, “The Risk Management and Insurance course will provide students with invaluable opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experience. By engaging directly with industry professionals, they will develop practical skills, build confidence, and explore career paths in a growing field. Programs like this exemplify our commitment to preparing students for meaningful, impactful careers.”
Julie Hackett, Finance Academic Director, highlighted the goal of inspiring a diverse group of students, stating, “The Risk Management and Insurance course is a wonderful opportunity to introduce PSU students to careers in risk management and insurance. We hope this experience will inspire students from a variety of majors to explore this growing field and prepare them for meaningful careers.”
Michael Dimond, the senior instructor developing the course, said, "everyone is very excited to be partnering with the Oregon Risk & Insurance Management Society to help connect students to a fascinating possible career path."
The RMI course is specifically designed to be engaging and supportive for students across many disciplines, including those in finance, accounting, management, supply chain, marketing, business analytics, engineering, and healthcare. By bringing in interactive sessions and real-world insights, The School of Business is actively working to build awareness for risk management and insurance as a dynamic career path and boost enrollment in the new RMI course.
The program will offer students a great package of opportunities, like campus-wide presentations with local professionals and The RIMS Oregon Chapter, plus direct access to internships in Risk Management and Insurance. This initiative clearly shows The School of Business's commitment to creating innovative, outcome-driven programming that equips students with practical skills for success in competitive and evolving fields.
About the Spencer Educational Foundation
The Spencer Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to fostering the education and professional development of risk management and insurance students. Since its establishment in 1979, the foundation has been helping students succeed by providing scholarships, grants, and internships to talented individuals pursuing careers in these fields. To learn more about the Spencer Educational Foundation and its programs, please visit www.spencered.org.
About the RIMS Oregon Chapter
The Oregon Chapter, serving the membership of Oregon and SW Washington is a vibrant and active chapter led by an experienced and dedicated board. Their mission is to promote the profession of Risk Management by providing opportunities for personal and professional development through education, social events, and community service.