USU Partnership Develops One-Of-A-Kind Certification Program

Robert Mills, an assistant professor in the business information systems department at Utah State University, partnered with the university's Faculty Assistance Center for Teaching (FACT) and the University of Vermont to create a one-of-a-kind certification program. The team designed and developed courses for a comprehensive captive insurance education program. Five traditional face-to-face courses were developed, as were corresponding online course options.

 

The courses are offered through the International Center for Captive Insurance Education. Faculty at ICCIE are drawn from a variety of professional positions, including vice presidents, actuaries, chief operating officers, lawyers, CEOs, partners and directors from a number of top firms in the United States, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

 

Mills was approached by the University of Vermont to spearhead this first-time certification project. Because of previous contact, he said he immediately thought of USU's FACT center for the project.

 

"I knew the professionalism, technology resources and instruction design experience at FACT would make this project a success," Mills said.

 

Kevin Reeve, FACT department head, quickly agreed to join the venture.

 

"Dr. Mills is a respected faculty member at the university," Reeve said. "We couldn't pass up an opportunity to be a part of his team."

 

FACT instructional designer Nanette Sorensen spent 10 months working on the project as lead USU developer. She had daily communication with instructors located across the country to organize course content, write exams and plan activities using sound instructional design.

 

"This project was a success because of the incredible people involved," Sorensen said. "A project of this magnitude could not have been completed in the required time without the valuable contributions of Dr. Mills, Kevin and the team at the University of Vermont."

 

"Establishing a new educational program in the fairly unchartered territory of captive insurance was a tremendous challenge," said ICCIE administrative assistant Paulina Anderson. "Doing it online made it even more complicated. The USU team provided logistical support and solutions that made the process seem a lot less overwhelming for administrators and the faculty."

 

Anderson also spoke highly of the team's record-breaking response time, outstanding customer service and great patience. "The supreme professionalism distinguishes this group from others in the field."

 

"Utah State University was instrumental in our ability to set up a first-class e-learning curriculum," said Mitch Cantor, executive director of ICCIE. "The feedback we received from students in the first 13 months has been exceptional. Our heartiest thanks for a job well conceived and executed."

 

The University of Vermont's developer, Greg Dunkling, said the National Association Board of Accountancy has approved ICCIE's classroom based course. Individuals in the accounting field can now use the ICCIE program for re-certification credits.

 

"This is a big step forward and hats off to the Utah State team for helping make this possible."

 

The FACT program at USU enjoys the partnering with faculty, making their projects a success, Reeve said.  FACT is now in its new location, room 202, in the Merrill-Cazier Library. The newly expanded space provides classroom and lab facilities for faculty. For more information on FACT programs, call Reeve at 797-0783.