Harper College will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
After two decades working as a horse trainer and riding instructor, Chrissy Krutz
Walters was ready for a career change. But after an unsuccessful attempt to complete
her college degree elsewhere, she wasn’t sure what opportunities were available.
That changed when she discovered the apprenticeship program offered through Harper College and Zurich North America. The experience allowed her to earn her associate degree while gaining hands-on experience, financial stability and a new career in the insurance industry.
On a recent episode of the national education-focused podcast All In: Student Pathways Forward, the Harper alumna reflected on her journey and the support she received from both organizations.
“For me it’s been a life-changing experience,” Krutz Walters said. “It's given me an opportunity to have career longevity in a prestigious company.”
The episode, titled “Underwriting the Future: How Harper College and Zurich Have Built and Scaled Apprenticeships,” also features Harper College President Dr. Avis Proctor and Sirena Arnaout, business execution lead for Zurich’s Office of Apprenticeships.
Speaking with host Marc Goldberg, Dr. Proctor discusses how Harper has expanded its apprenticeship offerings to 24 programs across multiple industries, partnering with more than 85 employers. She emphasizes the importance of making apprenticeships a core part of the college’s academic and workforce strategy.
“Apprenticeships sit right in the intersection of student success and workforce development,” Dr. Proctor said. “They’re closely aligned with our mission, our strategic priorities.”
Listen to the full episode of All In: Student Pathways Forward, which amplifies community college student voices alongside those of education leaders, employers and policy experts, to hear how Harper and Zurich’s partnership is creating pathways to meaningful careers and offering a model for other colleges and employers.