Page 12 - CJA_Spirit_Feb2020

Partnering with

a Purpose

D o n Killian and C entene C o rp o ratio n find value
in b eco m ing a C o r Jesu Academ y C o rp o rate Partner.

CORPORATE PARTNERS INITIATIVE

hen high school as a participant in Summer Don, working with other motivated
students gifted in Engineering Experience (SEE) Week. Centene colleagues, organized a
mathematics look As Grace learned more about her variety of educational and hands-
W ahead to the future, potential career paths, Don learned on activities designed to expose
they’re sure to consider careers in more about the value of the initiative. the girls to the actuarial science
engineering and accounting—but “Our company purpose at Centene field and careers within it. He also
what about actuarial sciences? You is: ‘Transforming the health of the invited an actuarial science professor
know—the discipline that applies community, one person at a time,’” from Maryville University to guide
mathematical and statistical methods Don says. “And transforming health students through the academic path
to assess risk in insurance, finance isn’t just providing doctor visits. It’s for pursuing those careers.
and other industries and professions? getting involved in the community “I want to make sure that girls
Most high school students do to help better people’s lives. Seeing interested in math are aware of
not know of this discipline, and the the amazing career exploration actuarial science and understand that
rare ones that do, likely don’t have a opportunities Grace was being given it’s another great, but often overlooked,
grasp of what it really means to be at Cor Jesu, I wanted Centene to get STEM career path,” Don says.
developing leaders
an actuary. Fortunately, at Cor Jesu, involved in helping these students In addition to exp3 Day, Centene
students now have the opportunity on their journey.” has also participated in Cor Jesu’s
to not only learn about, but also To do so, Don spearheaded Alumnae Internship Networking
experience actuarial science, thanks Centene’s efforts to become an Connections (INC) event, where
to the Corporate Partners Initiative official Cor Jesu Corporate Partner. In college-aged Cor Jesu alumnae
(CPI) and “Grace’s dad.” 2018, Centene hosted its first group seeking jobs and internships can
CJ senior Grace Killian’s dad, Don of CJ students on exp3 Day, and network and make connections
Killian, is the Senior Vice President
of Actuarial Services at Centene
available through CPI, first with “ One of Centene’s major focuses is to
Corporation. In 2016, as a freshman
at Cor Jesu, Grace began to take
develop the next generation of leaders.
advantage of the opportunities
exp3 Day, the program’s annual And what better place to find those
”
career exploration day, and then,
the summer after sophomore year, leaders than at Cor Jesu? -DON KILLIAN

10 SPIRIT MAGAZINE SPRING 2020