The Zurich Fellows scholarship, funded by Zurich North America (ZNA), is designed to advance the development of diverse talent in the insurance industry. We define the term diversity broadly to include individuals who represent different ability, cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and social backgrounds.
Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of commercial insurance and risk management services in the US and Canada. ZNA serves businesses of all sizes, including 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies, from a diverse set of industries, including agriculture, automotive, construction, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, technology, and numerous others. ZNA is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, founded and headquartered in Switzerland.
As a global insurance company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of its own workforce as an asset, and we recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives and strive to make them feel welcome and supported here at our company. At the same time, we believe that our future is brighter together because the entire insurance industry is best served by supporting the values inherent in promoting diversity, an inclusive and equitable workforce, and a sense of belonging and feeling valued.
The Zurich Fellows Scholarship is open to anyone who is now or planning to pursue a career in the insurance industry. Those selected will receive scholarships of up to $10,000 to support study in any of the following master’s programs at St. John’s University’s Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and actuarial Science (GSRM). Eligible master’s programs include
- M.B.A. in Enterprise Risk Management
- M.B.A. in Risk Management
- M.B.A. in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM M.B.A.)
- M.S. in Actuarial Science
- M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management
- M.S. in Risk Management and Risk Analytics
A background in insurance is not a prerequisite for applying for the scholarship. We believe that the professional opportunities available in the industry are varied and broad, and it is consistent with the Zurich Fellows founding principles that people with different backgrounds should be encouraged to consider a career in the industry.
For example, a GSRM graduate with an interest in fine arts could pursue a position in underwriting with an insurer that specializes in underwriting masterpieces for museums and private collections; an undergraduate political science major who earns a graduate degree at GSRM could pursue a career as a broker specializing in arranging coverage for political risks; an undergraduate English major could work with a team that crafts coverage agreements on unique, high-value risks such as the Chrysler Building; and a graduate, with a background in environmental studies, could find a position in the agro-business or energy practice group of an insurer.
To be considered, an applicant needs to be admitted to one of the programs listed above at St. John’s University, and submit the Zurich fellows application. For additional information, please contact
Amber Steiger
Director of Graduate Admissions
St. John’s University
[email protected]
Bart Shachnow CFP®, CLU, ChFC, CPCU, MMRM
Director, Zurich Academy
[email protected]
Click here for access to the Zurich Fellows application.
The Zurich Fellows is an external scholarship fund. Up to seven fellowships will be awarded annually. A Zurich Fellowship Committee comprised of Zurich executives and Greenberg School personnel selects applicants for the fellowships.