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Principal Financial Group recognizes Evangel University business talent again

Published on Nov 29, 2016 by Evangel University News

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Principal Financial Group has selected Olivia Gorman — a senior marketing major at Evangel University — as one of four out of approximately 300 high-performing college graduates nationwide who applied to become part of Principal’s unique Leadership Development Program for 2017.

Gorman is a Springfield, Mo., native and a 2013 graduate of New Covenant Academy.

As a member of Principal’s LDP, Gorman will enter a three-year program designed to provide customized rotations in multiple areas of the company.

The LDP provides full-time pay and benefits, along with mentorships with senior managers, participation in quarterly earnings call debriefs, leadership skills assessments and development plans, active engagement in learning projects, and personal interactions with analysts, investors and Principal team members.

At the end of the three-year period, the program members are given extensive experience credit as they choose a career path in the organization that best suits their strengths.

Second selection from Springfield

2016-11.28 Evangel, Olivia Gorman-h
Senior marketing major Olivia Gorman in the Department of Business at Evangel University. // (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Gorman started the application process in September, following a campus visit by a recruiting team from Principal Financial Group.

The selection process for the Leadership Development Program includes three stages of interviews by phone, Skype and then a personal interview at the corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

“It was an exciting process,” said Gorman. “Seeing the culture of respect and appreciation at corporate headquarters in Des Moines caused me to have no hesitation to accept the offer to join the program.”

The Principal recruitment team included Lauren McCreight, another Evangel University Business Department graduate who was selected for Principal’s Leadership Development Program after finishing her MBA at Missouri State University in 2015. Evangel has a consortium agreement with MSU that allows Evangel students to take MBA courses while completing their undergraduate work at EU.

“Watching the process unfold, and seeing how impressed the Principal Financial Group team was with Olivia, helped me realize once again how effectively the Evangel business program prepares us,” said McCreight.

McCreight is also from Springfield, Mo. She graduated from Kickapoo High School in 2010.

Principal Financial Group is a publicly held corporation that manages nearly $596 billion in assets for customers through retirement plans, insurance, and mutual funds serviced by a national network of financial professionals and companies with offices in 18 countries. The company was recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Employers” in March 2015.

The Evangel University Department of Business has nearly 200 undergraduate students earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with majors in accounting, business education, finance, management, marketing, and nonprofit business & social enterprise.

The business programs also include 120 adult students in online and seated programs to earn a Bachelor of Science in Management or a Master of Organizational Leadership.

For more information, visit the EU Department of Business or contact Dr. Duane Praschan at 417-865-2815 ext. 8110.