From the moment Sadie Herring stepped onto Indiana State University’s campus, something clicked. She watched students laughing together on the Quad, walking to class side by side, and participating in more fun activities. The campus didn’t feel overwhelming. She felt connected right away.
“I remember during my first campus visit, a student said something I’ve never forgotten,” Herring recalls. “They said, ‘I can walk across campus each day and meet three new people, and in the same walk, pass three people I know.’”
That was all she needed. Her choice to attend Indiana State was also rooted in something deeper, however. Raised in West Terre Haute, Indiana, Sadie grew up surrounded by Sycamore pride. Her older sister, Makayla, graduated from Indiana State’s Scott College of Business, and other family members were Sycamore alumni, as well. Indiana State was a part of Herring’s family legacy, and she was ready to begin her own Sycamore journey.
Herring remarks, “I knew I made the right decision in coming here. At Indiana State, you are more than just a number in a lecture hall-style class. I have felt seen and supported my entire time here.”
Herring’s path into business began early, shaped by her involvement in DECA in high school and a natural curiosity about how organizations grow. At the Scott College of Business, that curiosity soon became her calling. Now, she is a senior double majoring in insurance and risk management and marketing and sales.
“Insurance, at its core, was made to help people in times of great need. Without it, people would be far less willing to start businesses, invest in new ideas, or rebuild after unexpected events,” Herring explains. “Being a part of an industry that quietly supports so much of the economy and people’s livelihoods is something that I find incredibly meaningful.”
Indiana State’s Insurance and Risk Management program—one of the most highly regarded in the nation—gave Herring a strong technical foundation, from policy analysis to risk evaluation. But she emphasizes that the program’s true value extends far beyond the classroom.
Through Gamma Iota Sigma, a collegiate insurance fraternity, Herring traveled to national conferences, where she connected with business professionals and discovered career opportunities in the field. She says, “My favorite thing about the program is the resources we’re provided to find our interests and pursue them.”
That exploration led her to Core Specialty Insurance, where she interned as a Business Development Representative in the Excess and Surplus (E&S) Lines market – a fast-paced sector that handles complex, unconventional risks.
“Working in the E&S space showed me how creative and analytical insurance can be. I was able to see firsthand how underwriters and business development teams work together to evaluate unique exposures and structure solutions for brokers and insurers. I enjoyed being a part of a company that is growing rapidly,” Herring explains.
What began as an internship became something more. Herring continued working part-time with Core Specialty through her senior year and has now accepted a full-time position with the company’s Excess Casualty Division. Her role will span 17 states—from Ohio to Utah—covering a multi-million-dollar territory and involving extensive travel, an opportunity she gladly welcomes.
For all the knowledge and professional experience she’s gained, Herring is quick to point to something else as the defining feature of her time at Indiana State: the people.
“I cannot say enough good things about my professors,” she says, naming mentors including Professors Jin Park, PhD, and David Fleming, PhD, and Senior Instructor Jennifer Mullen. “They know their students on a first-name basis, and they are truly invested in our lives. They go far beyond simply teaching material. They take the time to understand our goals, challenge us to think critically, and encourage us to grow professionally and personally.”
As a member of the Networks Professional Development Program and the Gongaware Program—scholarship programs in the Scott College of Business—and as a President’s Scholar in the Honors College, Herring immersed herself in opportunities designed to prepare students for the real world. From attending resume and interview workshops and planning networking events alongside her peers, the experience was transformative, she says.
“Being surrounded by driven students pushes you to raise your own standards and think more seriously about your goals and the kind of professional you want to become,” Herring explains.
Looking back at her time at Indiana State, Herring remembers how she felt when she first arrived on campus. She’s glad to know her initial impression turned out to be correct – and her Sycamore experience exceeded all of her expectations.
As Commencement approaches, Herring prepares to reflect on her Sycamore experience as the undergraduate commencement speaker during the 12 p.m. undergraduate ceremony on Saturday. She stands at the threshold of a career that will take her across the country – building relationships and helping businesses move forward with confidence. It’s a future shaped not only by what she learned, but also where she learned it.
“Indiana State is the kind of university where, if you are willing to get involved and work hard, there are so many people and resources ready to help you succeed,” Herring says. “If I could go back to my senior year of high school, I would choose Indiana State University all over again.”