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Insurance and Financial Services Center

The IFSC is dedicated to supporting students, faculty, and industry in the pursuit of knowledge relating to insurance and facilitates interaction between students and industry primarily through scholarships and internship programs. The Center also promotes research on issues relevant to the insurance industry in the mountain states region. The New Mexico insurance industry has been particularly supportive of our Insurance Studies program.

Support from the IFSC allowed our college to secure a premier insurance faculty with outstanding records in academia and industry. Our faculty are committed to making the Insurance Studies program the finest of its type in the Southwest.

Industry Support. A debt of gratitude is owed to Dr. Edward Lujan, the leading proponent for establishing the IFSC as well as the Mountain States Insurance Endowed Chair for Insurance Studies. Dr. Lujan’s vision and steadfast support helped make the Insurance Studies program and the IFSC a reality. His leadership is a major force in the success of the Center. In 2009, he was honored with NMSU’s Branding Iron award as well as an Honorary Doctorate.

Major donors have included:

The IFSC supports our students by providing dedicated scholarships in addition to any other financial aid for which you may be eligible. We are proud to award more than $23,000 annually to students specifically within our program.

Furthermore, through the IFSC, the Insurance Studies Program pays student expenses related to insurance licensure and professional certification. This reimbursement ensures our students can earn industry-recognized credentials while completing their degree.

Dr. Kimberly (Kim) Kerr is a College Assistant Professor and current holder of the Mountain State Insurance Group Endowed Chair at New Mexico State University. After a distinguished career in risk management and public administration, she transitioned into academia to teach the next generation of risk management and insurance professionals. Her professional background is anchored by high-level leadership roles, including serving as the Risk Management Director and First Vice President for  Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. 

Kim holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Franklin University, a Master's of Public Administration, and a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice. Her extensive credentials include the RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional, RIMS Risk Fellow, and the Associate of Risk Management – Public Entities designations. Prior to her work in the private sector and higher education, Kim served in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant and held various senior administrative positions in municipal government, including City Manager and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer.