University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto and Western & Southern Chairman, President, and CEO John F. Barrett joined stakeholders at a Sept. 23 ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the partnership, the first of its kind for UC.
“In partnering with the University of Cincinnati, we're not just creating a development program, we're cultivating an environment where students can flourish professionally,” said Paul Moore, senior vice president and chief customer officer at Western & Southern. “Together, we're shaping a future where learning meets opportunity and students can emerge into the workforce prepared for a bright future."
Under the partnership, students employed through the Western & Southern Accelerated Career Program work with current and prospective clients of Gerber Life Insurance, a nationally recognized and trusted brand and a member company of Western & Southern. Students can also attain a Life and Health Insurance license, with costs for the test and study materials covered by the company. Additionally, students have access to employer-provided benefits such as tuition reimbursement, professional development resources and courses through the company’s award-winning Guilford Learning Institute.
The University of Cincinnati, the birthplace of cooperative education, has been offering students hands-on learning experiences since 1906. Consistently ranked among the top universities in the nation for cooperative education, UC students earned a remarkable $88.8 million through workplace education programs during the 2023-24 academic year.
“The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies is excited to partner with Western & Southern to launch the Western & Southern Accelerated Career Program,” said Michelle Clare, vice provost for continuing education, Dean, College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies. “Western & Southern’s investment goes beyond the new Program and involves providing UC students access to professional development resources and scholarships and serves as a model for collaboration between education and industry. This partnership is another example of UC’s commitment to make education more affordable while also equipping our students with the experience and knowledge they need to prepare them for the workforce.”
The Western & Southern Accelerated Career Program currently employs 18 part-time student associates from UC, along with two full-time managers to provide coaching and development. Sixteen student associates have earned Life and Health Insurance licenses since the Program’s inception in May. The Western & Southern Accelerated Career Program’s office on Calhoun Street opened in August and operates weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with students’ work schedules tailored around their individual class schedules.
UC students can apply to the Western & Southern Accelerated Career Program here.
About the University of Cincinnati 1819 Innovation Hub
The UC 1819 Innovation Hub is the gateway to the University of Cincinnati, serving as the central nerve center for the Cincinnati Innovation District®️. Situated in a renovated former Sears, Roebuck & Co. structure and strategically positioned in close proximity to renowned research facilities, the 1819 Innovation Hub serves as a dynamic space for pioneering programs, resources and events. Students, researchers, and business professionals collaborate to foster connections, creating a thriving startup ecosystem that supports the Cincinnati region and beyond. In this atmosphere of inspiration, they engage in collaborative problem-solving, forming the backbone of the district's entrepreneurial community. For additional information, visit innovation.uc.edu.
