Illinois State University’s College of Business team has emerged victorious in this year’s Selective Insurance Company‘s Insurance Agency Management Competition, marking a significant achievement for the institution. The team’s triumph, the first for Illinois State in six years, is a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of the students involved.
Led by Mohammed Mrani, Fernando Villanueva, Emily Vesper, Colin Glass, Ty Brennan, and Shannon Ranalli, the Illinois State team showcased their excellence in a highly competitive field, surpassing formidable opponents from Temple and Indiana State universities. Their resounding success underscores the value of hard work and collaboration.
Throughout the competition, the team displayed a strong spirit of collaboration and a willingness to put in the necessary effort. Their combined efforts earned them a prestigious prize of $3,000, which was awarded to the registered student organization Gamma Iota Sigma. Witnessing the students’ commitment and dedication to delivering their best performance was truly thrilling.
Reflecting on their experience, the students shared insights into the competition, expressing how applying their accumulated knowledge to real-life scenarios was both rewarding and reminiscent of their internship experiences. One student emphasized the importance of working in diverse teams, highlighting the critical role such experiences play in their learning journey.
The team highly recommends the competition to juniors and seniors seeking to broaden their professional horizons, despite the time and energy investment required. They emphasized the invaluable lessons gained and the opportunity to deepen their understanding of insurance agency operations and long-term strategies for success.
The event’s sponsors, Selective Insurance, and organizers, PriSim Business War Games and Business Simulations, received extended gratitude for their support and for facilitating such a crucial event. Illinois State’s victory not only showcases the talent of the student team but also underscores the significance of experiential learning in academic pursuits.
Special appreciation was extended to George Day and Tricia Pucket of the Horton group for their mentorship of the students, whose guidance undoubtedly contributed to the team’s outstanding performance. Congratulations to the Illinois State University College of Business team on their remarkable achievement.
