Hargis receives 2018 Distinguished Risk Manager Award
Kathy Hargis, associate vice president for risk management and compliance, has received the 2018 Distinguished Risk Manager Award from the University Risk Management and Insurance Association.
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Kathy Hargis, associate vice president for risk management and compliance, has received the 2018 Distinguished Risk Manager Award from the University Risk Management and Insurance Association.
Hargis, who served as president of the 2,100-member organization in 2016-17, was one of two recipients honored last month at URMIA’s 49th annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Distinguished Risk Manager (DRM) Award is given to long-standing URMIA members in recognition of their professional accomplishments and leadership in the field of higher education risk management, as well as their extraordinary contributions to the association. Award recipients are nominated and selected by their URMIA peers for this singularly high honor.
“This recognition is a special honor to me, especially since it is voted on by peers in the industry. Many prior recipients have been my mentors and others who I look up to as the best risk managers in the field. So, it means a lot to me,” said Hargis. “It’s also a reflection of what we have been able to accomplish as a team in developing a comprehensive risk management program and preparing for the unexpected to happen. I am truly humbled and grateful.”
Hargis has led the university’s risk management program since its inception in 2005. She oversees emergency management, business continuity planning, Title IX compliance, international risk and safety, and environmental health and safety, along with the enterprise risk management duties for the university. Hargis sits on numerous committees within the institution.
With more than 25 years of experience in risk management, prior to working in higher education Hargis worked in the corporate field. She worked for First American Corporation as assistant vice president of risk management and also worked as a senior underwriter for CNA Insurance. In addition to her presidency, she has held many leadership roles within URMIA, including secretary and chair of many committees. She currently serves on URMIA’s Governance Task Force and chairs the 50thCelebration Task Force. She also serves on the following committees: Honors, Inter-Association Alliances, International, Leadership Development and Scholarship.
Hargis has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Kentucky University and an MBA with a specialization in conflict management from Lipscomb University.
Founded in 1969 and celebrating its 50th anniversary, URMIA is the premier professional association dedicated to promoting the advancement of higher education risk management principles and best practices. URMIA serves as an educational resource to an international community of over 2,500 professionals at more than 600 institutions of higher learning, plus 100 affiliate companies and partner organizations that serve the needs of higher education risk management. URMIA is headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana.