Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has partnered with the University of Iowa’s new risk management and insurance program, which was launched in fall 2023 by the Henry B. Tippie College of Business’ Vaughan Institute for Risk Management and Insurance. The Des Moines-based health insurer also made a financial contribution to the program. Wellmark did not make the amount of the contribution public, according to a University of Iowa spokesperson. Ways the contribution will help support the risk management and insurance field include creating experiential learning opportunities and enabling new industry research, according to a news release. A Wellmark spokesperson said in an emailed statement that members of the company’s leadership also serve on the Tippie Advisory Board and Vaughan Institute Advisory Board and support the development and preparation of Tippie students through events and programming like career fairs.