Rising junior Alexis Hanchett is from a small town, Delton, and loves the small community in Olivet, but she has big opportunities as a Comet. She is an insurance and risk management major with a minor in claims handling, president of Gamma Iota Sigma (the College’s professional insurance fraternity), a member of the Difference Makers service learning program, the recipient of many scholarships and an accomplished insurance intern.
Read more about Alexis’s journey:
I was looking for a small college where I could have relationships with my professors and not just be a number in a classroom. I wanted my professors to know my name. After visiting Olivet and sitting down to meet with professors, I decided that Olivet was the right fit. From the moment I started talking to the staff and professors, I could tell that they truly cared about what I wanted from my education. I was going to be able to make positive impacts in the community and on campus.
I received the Global Citizen Honors Scholarship, the The University of Olivet Difference Maker Scholarship and had a handful of insurance scholarships that were available to me when choosing insurance as a major. In addition to the many scholarships, I also heard a lot about Gamma Iota Sigma, and I was drawn to the idea of it immediately, which helped me make my final college decision.
Recently, I was also awarded the Jack Butterick Insurance Scholarship Foundation Award and the Women’s Board Scholarship during Honors Week. Receiving scholarships is a true blessing; without them I would not be at Olivet. When you receive scholarships from organizations like the Women’s Board, you are known as someone who gives back to the community and is a leader. Scholarships like these make me work hard to keep serving as a great leader.
The Gamma Iota Sigma Alpha Alpha Chapter at Olivet is an international professional fraternity organized to promote, encourage and sustain student interest in insurance, risk management and actuarial science as professions. I took over as president of the chapter in the spring of 2020, and will finish my term following this upcoming fall semester. Gamma has given me a vast number of different opportunities. I was able to travel with my peers and meet other aspiring insurance professionals, as well as network with professionals in the field right now. Gamma has helped me get internships and scholarships, and it has been a large part in expanding my knowledge of the industry.
In addition to the great opportunities in Gamma, I chose to study insurance so that I could be a part of a growing industry. Insurance may seem like a pretty boring job on the outside, but the more I learn, the more interesting things get. It’s more than crunching numbers and telling people “no.” You have the opportunity to put lives back together and to be part of companies that want to give back to their communities.
To prepare myself for a successful career, I set a goal to have three internships going into my senior year. So far, I am on track to meet my goal, and I am currently a claims subrogation summer intern with Auto Owners in Lansing. These internships allow me to try different parts of the insurance industry before I decide where to start a career someday. In addition to internship hunting, I am also working on getting licensed as a Property and Casualty Producer and other professional designations.
I am also a The University of Olivet Difference Maker. Community service has always been super important to me and the feeling you have after giving your time to a community in need is priceless. I have had many opportunities in my life, but I recognize that not everyone is as fortunate. It’s important to humble yourself and give back when you can. I am beyond proud to be part of such an amazing program and look forward to my next two years serving others.
Attending The University of Olivet has become one of the best choices I ever made. I have met so many great individuals, and I have had so many amazing opportunities. Olivet has allowed me to bloom into the person I want to be, and I am able to work hard to reach every goal that I set for myself.
I would encourage other students to come to Olivet if they are looking for a school that will encourage you and support your dreams. Staff and professors at Olivet are some of the kindest people I have ever met. If you’re looking for a small, diverse, inclusive and rewarding campus, The University of Olivet is the school for you. You will have an abundance of mentors; you will meet some great people from many different backgrounds and your professors will know your name, your goals and your dreams.
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admissions at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
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