RMI student thrives after getting involved
Juggling is an art form for Kooper Ashmore, only he’s not juggling bowling pins – he’s navigating classwork, leadership positions, conference planning, student group involvement, internships and traveling as he networks for his future. And he has excelled at it all.
“I decided to get involved outside the classroom because those experiences
created opportunities I couldn’t get from coursework alone,” Ashmore said. “The trips also gave me direct access to professionals in the insurance industry, where I could ask questions, learn about different career paths and make real connections.”
Ashmore’s hard work and the network he created led to internships and now a job, months before graduation. After graduation, Ashmore will move to Dallas, Texas, to become a technical assistant at CRC Group with its National Construction Practice Team.
“In this role, I will help place high-value and complex construction risks, supporting brokers with submissions, carrier negotiations and the overall placement process,” Ashmore said.
“I remember when Cooper came to visit us on campus during his senior year of high school,” said Dr. Brenda Wells, director of the Risk Management and Insurance Program and the Robert F. Bird Distinguished Professor of Risk Management Insurance. “All of us knew he was something special, and we were so pleased when he chose to attend ECU. He is a very accomplished and principled young man who will go very far in the business world. I couldn’t be prouder of him!”
Ashmore is a finance major with a concentration in risk management and insurance. He got involved right away when he started at ECU. He’s been a member of Gamma Iota Sigma for four years, serving as president for two of those years. GIS is the professional fraternity for risk management and insurance students. He said just by being with GIS, he built industry connections and leadership skills. Those leadership skills have been put to use with the Dean’s Student Leadership Council.
“[The DSLC] gave me the opportunity to work closely with other student leaders,” Ashmore said. “I was able to help represent the College of Business at events, and contributed ideas to improve student engagement and leadership.” Including helping plan and coordinate last month’s successful student-led Financial Conference at ECU.
Travel has also helped propel Ashmore through his ECU COB career. He’s traveled both nationally and internationally to learn more about the RMI industry and to network. Those trips include Bermuda, London, Atlanta (eight times), Las Vegas, Columbus (two times), Indianapolis, Hartford, Charlotte and Raleigh. The trips included conferences and company visits. He said all of the trips were funded by GIS.
“These trips gave me insight on careers in insurance and helped me start building my network of insurance professionals,” Ashmore said.
While Ashmore will be working full-time with CRC Group when he graduates, it’s not the first time he’s worked for the company. In fact, he’s interned with CRC in Charlotte and Nashville, Tennessee. His internship with CRC in Nashville was part of the WSIA Internship Program, which he said is the most prestigious internship in the excess and surplus industry. As part of the program, he also worked with James River Insurance in Richmond, Virginia. He ended up being selected as one of the top 10 interns and was flown to the WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego, California, which he said is the largest excess and surplus insurance conference.
“Each internship gave me a different perspective on how the insurance process works. I
met mentors and started building relationships within the industry,” Ashmore said. “Completing internships helped me decide on my career path of going the wholesale brokerage route.”
On top of the internships, Ashmore was selected as the No. 1 overall Spencer Scholar in the world. The Spencer Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports students pursuing careers in risk management and insurance. It provides scholarships, learning opportunities, mentors, and funds travel opportunities for college students. Ashmore said he received Spencer Education Foundation’s largest scholarship and delivered the student address at the Spencer Education Funding Their Future Gala in NYC, which raised over $1.9 million for the organization.
“Getting involved set me up for career success by giving me real experience and strong
industry connections,” Ashmore said. “I was able to take advantage of all the opportunities GIS offers over four years in college. I was able to build relationships with professionals who offered guidance, mentorship and career advice. I would not have landed the internships, jobs and scholarships if it weren’t for getting involved in the club.”