Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University has partnered with Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School and the nonprofit Student Sponsor Partners (SSP) to launch a workforce development initiative aimed at providing paid work-study opportunities for 20 Cristo Rey Brooklyn students at major insurance companies in New York City.

The new program, InsureFutures, was announced on October 29 during a ceremony at St. John’s Manhattan campus. The initiative is designed to strengthen the transition from education to career for students and address diversity gaps within the insurance industry. Nine prominent insurance firms attended the event, with additional companies expected to support future internships.

Students participating in InsureFutures will be given priority consideration for admission to St. John’s Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science. This school recently achieved an 11th-place national ranking among undergraduate insurance programs by U.S. News and World Report.

William J. Janetschek, Chair of the St. John’s Board of Trustees and retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., emphasized the value of early exposure to the industry: “If a 16- or 17-year-old student works in an insurance company and sees that it is a pretty dynamic industry, and you add the social skills you develop while in high school, you cannot put a price on that,” he said. “I am incredibly excited about how this program has developed, and we are about to lift off.”

Janetschek has been a key supporter of all three organizations involved in this partnership, contributing significantly through philanthropy.

SSP focuses on supporting students from underserved communities through education and mentorship programs across New York City. Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School serves families with limited financial means as part of a national network of 41 schools dedicated to this mission.

Through their internships, Cristo Rey Brooklyn students gain hands-on experience in various areas of the insurance sector, along with mentorship opportunities, professional networking access, leadership training, educational support, and guidance toward long-term career success.

Some students have already started their placements at insurance firms such as AEGIS; AXA XL; Chubb; Everest Group; Marsh; Starr; The Hartford; Travelers Companies; and Vantage Risk.

NiCara Spencer, a junior at Cristo Rey working as a Student Associate in Starr Insurance’s marketing department, described her experience: “It has taught me how to work effectively and pay attention to detail, which will help me in any career I choose,” she said. “Even though I am only a high school student, I feel as if I can learn new skills and contribute in a real way.”

Thirteen graduates from Cristo Rey Brooklyn are currently enrolled at St. John’s University according to Alan Garcia, Vice President for Corporate Work Study at Cristo Rey Brooklyn.

Maciek Nowak, Dean of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business where the Greenberg School is located, welcomed nearly 100 representatives from all partner organizations during the signing ceremony: “In less than a year, we have created this, and it just shows you what can be done when you have an incredible idea and everyone pulls together for the same cause,” he said. “It was awesome to see these nine insurance companies step up when we did not know how this program might work.”

Debra De Jesus-Vizzi, Executive Director of SSP—who herself benefited from an internship arranged by SSP—spoke about her own journey: “Education is the vehicle that can change kids’ lives,” she said. “This corporate work-study program is the ideal laboratory for this experiment to grow and create the next generation of industry leaders. And then you add the great tradition of St. John’s where success is not measured only in grades but in character—and we are just so proud to be a part of this.”