First Student Completes Requirements in College’s Risk Management Certificate Program

BELLEVUE, WASH. ( March 9, 2006) – Bellevue Community College marked another milestone in its highly touted Continuing Education program with the graduation of Diana Phillips. She is the first graduate of BCC’s Risk Management Certificate Program.

Offered as a self-directed continuing education option, the ground-breaking risk management program requires 56 hours of core classes and 50 hours of electives. It is one of the newest offerings at BCC, which boasts the largest and most diverse selection of Continuing Education courses in the state. It is also the first such Continuing Education program at BCC to offer scholarship funds.

Phillips, who is employed in the risk management department of a telecommunication company, plans to continue taking classes at BCC to stay current on risk management issues. “I plan to continue developing my skills and knowledge of risk management, business and human resources,” the new certificate-holder stated.

“It was exciting to be a part of a developing program,” Phillips commented, adding she appreciated being able to tailor the program to fit her business needs while having the freedom to choose electives to help her career. Besides meeting other individuals in the risk management field, Phillips said she especially enjoyed learning from instructors who are experts in various aspects of risk management. “It made for great dialogue in the classroom,” she remarked.

Other students who are close to earning the Risk Management Certificate include Katy Andrew, who is employed at a large downtown Seattle law firm; Britta Braid, who works in the risk management department of a hospital; Debra Raffle, a paralegal who works in a risk management department; and Erik Strom, who recently earned a law degree and is working toward his certificate to enhance his law-related career opportunities.

Program founder Mary Hollins described risk management as an evolving managerial function. Citing research by Protiviti, a business and technology risk consulting and internal audit firm, she said only 38 percent of Fortune 1000 C-level executives believe their companies are "very effective" at identifying and managing all potentially significant risks that could negatively impact business, operational or financial performance. More than half - 54 percent - of respondents in the independent survey acknowledge there is more they can do to identify, quantify and manage the risks their companies face.

Hollins, who has more than 20 years of experience in the fast-changing field and is the owner of Hollins Risk Management Consulting, LLC in Seattle, conceived the program and collaborated with peers to design the curriculum. Courses, which were first offered at BCC in 2003, are taught by practicing professionals.

Since inception, the Risk Management Certificate Program has attracted three sponsors and received recognition from five organizations that award CEUs or professional continuing education credits.

Along with their endorsement, the sponsors – Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS), Washington Chapter; Baldwin Resource Group, Inc. and Greater Seattle Insurance Professionals, Inc. – contribute funds for scholarships. BCC officials said this is the first-ever scholarship fund dedicated to students taking classes through a continuing education program at BCC.

Every company, regardless of size, must manage its risks in order to stay in business, Hollins emphasized, noting it is both a managerial and administrative process. She said the field of risk management evolved from safety engineering and insurance, but changing - and more complex - needs mean many people with responsibilities for managing business risks have no education or training in either field.

“Increased regulatory requirements, rising insurance premiums and heightened awareness of safety and security are creating new needs for specialists with the knowledge and expertise to manage business risks and their ever-changing challenges,” Hollins stated.

Hollins said the program offers a “real world, real time” working knowledge of the tools and techniques used by professionals to manage business risks, while considering various assets that may be at risk, including: 1)Financial (such as cash, credit and negotiable instruments); 2) Physical (land, buildings, equipment); 3) Human; and 4) Intangible (reputation, brand, information).

Because losses can arise from accidental, unplanned occurrences or from business decisions, companies need to have programs in place that use “foresight, not hindsight,” according to Hollins. Managers must understand strategies for avoiding or diversifying risk, along with techniques for sharing/transferring risk and various options for controlling and accepting risks, she explained.

Dr. Adele Becker, BCC’s director of work-related continuing education programs, said the Risk Management Certificate Program is designed to meet the contemporary learning needs of individuals and the operational needs of business.

Commenting on BCC’s expanding array of certificate programs, Becker observed that for many people in the business world, a current professional certificate has proven to be more valuable than an academic degree that may take several years to complete and be less directed toward “hands-on" knowledge.

Besides students seeking certification, Becker said participants in the program have included executives and supervisors from five disciplines who want to update, refresh or add to their knowledge base risk or obtain professional CEUs, including: 1) risk managers; 2) certified public accountants; 3) insurance brokers, agents and adjustors; 4) human resources personnel; and 5) safety and industrial hygiene staff.

Hollins began developing a program in risk management before the major catastrophic events of 2001 (including 9/11 terrorist attacks and earthquakes), with courses first offered elsewhere. “These events of 2001 raised the visibility and underscored the need. Safety, security and business continuity are universal concerns,” she remarked.

Hollins said she is not aware of any program like BCC’s west of the Mississippi. Some in-state colleges, including Central Washington University, Seattle University and Washington State University, offer courses on risk management, safety and related subjects through their schools of businesses, but none offer a standalone specialty leading to a degree or certificate in Risk Management.

Asked about career opportunities, Becker and Hollins said there are growing demands in both the private and public sectors. Jobs range from internal positions (both technical and management) to external, such as consultants for technical and managerial assistance.

Contacts (for more information)
BCC Risk Management Program founder Mary Hollins (also serves as Program Manager), Hollins Risk Management Consulting, LLC (Seattle), 206-270-9044
BCC Risk Management Program Coordinator Helen Hogan Campbell, 360-715-2923 or cell, (206) 919-0441
BCC Director of Work-Related Continuing Education Programs Dr. Adele Becker, 425-565-2232
BCC Public Information Director Bob Adams, 425-564-3081
Program Location North Campus, BCC (10700 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98004)
Program URL: www.conted.bcc.ctc.edu/business/rm/index.asp
Scholarships: Dr. Adele Becker at BCC, abecker@bcc.ctc.edu

Additional background information:
Mary Hollins (Program Founder and Program Manager)
The program was conceived by Mary Hollins, a risk manager with in-depth understanding about the operation of a business and firsthand knowledge about industry-specific risk management and safety issues. The program is an outgrowth of her speaking, teaching, writing and mentoring. As founder of Hollins Risk Management Consulting, LLC, she has provided preventive services to more than 200 clients that include trade associations, labor unions, educational and governmental entities, as well as companies engaged in retail, construction and healthcare services. She also serves as an expert consultant for claims and litigation involving safety related issues. For more information on her background and accomplishments please visit: http://www.hollinsrmc.com/index.html

Risk Management Certificate Program Requirements
(see: www.conted.bcc.ctc.edu/business/rm/index.asp)
A total of 106 hours of classes, all of which must be taken at BCC. (Courses held at North Campus)Total must include 56 hours of Core Classes and 50 hours of Electives. Risk management courses are: 1) Introduction to Risk Management; 2) Asset Risk Management; 3) Third Party Risk Management; 4) Employee Risk Management; 5) Risk Control; 6) Claim Management; and 7) Risk Finance.

CEU Credits: Professional Continuing Education credits are recognized in five disciplines: 1) Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner (WSOIC); 2) Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI); 3) American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIHA); 4) Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP); 5) Washington State Board of Accountancy.

Bellevue Community College
Serving more than 35,000 students per year, Bellevue Community College is the third largest institution of higher learning in Washington state. BCC offers associate degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in the traditional arts, humanities and sciences, as well as information technology, telecommunications, business, health sciences, social sciences, educational development and numerous other professional and technical fields.

BCC’s Continuing Education division is the largest such “life-long learning” program among Washington state’s 34 community and technical colleges. The division encompasses computing and technology programs; work-related and real estate programs; Art-Zones; Explore (personal enrichment programs); travel and world languages; business and professional contract training; and BCC’s Small Business Development Center.

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