Ind. Economic Development, University Team Up to Boost Insurance Jobs

Indianapolis-based Ball State University has announced plans to transform a downtown office space into a high-tech, interactive education, research, information and outreach center that will offer educational opportunities for working professionals.

“The Ball State University Indianapolis Center’s main focus will be to offer excellent educational programs aimed at working professionals looking for career advancement,” said Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora. “The center will also provide a key resource for state leaders promoting job growth in the insurance industry and city leaders engaged with our College of Architecture and Planning in urban design and planning efforts.

The new Ball State University Indianapolis Center is located at 50 S. Meridian St. The center will offer graduate-level courses, certificate programs, seminars and workshops beginning this fall. Online registration for the session is available at www.bsu.edu/distance/advising, or by email at jwaid@bsu.edu or by calling (317) 913-4561.

Last year, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) announced an initiative to boost insurance-related jobs in Indiana and has agreed to provide Insurance Industry training grants of $750 per person per year for high potential employees to undergo leadership training.

“Ball State’s insurance accelerator project aligns perfectly with the IEDC’s strategic initiatives in workforce development and will help Indiana’s workers adapt to the changing needs of industry,” said
Mike Chrysler, director of insurance initiatives for the IEDC. “This is a good partnership for the state and the university, and we look forward to collaborating on educational initiatives that will help grow Indiana’s insurance industry.”

The center will also allow Ball State to continue its award-winning work on the city of Indianapolis’ urban planning and design projects. The university’s College of Architecture and Planning previously operated a center on West Washington Street. The center won a 2004 Digital Education Achievement Award from the Center for Digital Education and a 2004 NUVO Cultural Vision Award from NUVO Newsweekly in Indianapolis for its work in coordinating community input on Indianapolis planning projects.

Source: Indiana Office of Economic Development, Ball State University