Why Risk Management?

Risk is everywhere – from climate change to global pandemics to cybersecurity attacks. But so is opportunity. When we recognize risks and manage them effectively, we don’t just protect our communities. We create valuable opportunities. Imagine the virologist working with a local school board to keep teachers and students safe in their classrooms during a public health crisis; the environmental scientist standing shoulder-to-shoulder with area farmers so that they can continue their critical work in the face of more extreme weather events; a criminologist examining and researching crimes in order to seek ways to prevent criminal behavior and reduce recidivism; or the computer scientist collaborating with a new nonprofit organization to ensure that its donors’ sensitive financial information is protected. That is what it means to manage risk in everyday life, and it is one of the most important skills needed in the world today.

Why minor in risk management? Because it’s universal. Whatever field you enter, you’ll need to understand how to identify, analyze, measure, and manage risks. But that is just the beginning. You’ll also learn to build relationships, to work well under pressure, and to model socially responsible leadership in a world that greatly needs it. And those are the skills that will truly differentiate you from others, and help you to stand out.

McNeil Academy

The McNeil Academy was established at Le Moyne College through a transformational gift from the McNeil family, who are alumni and outstanding supporters of the College. Their vision is to develop and oversee a world-class risk management program that emphasizes the importance of ethics and socially responsible leadership. The new risk management minor represents a multidisciplinary approach that combines risk management courses with existing risk management related courses across many of the disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences, providing students with a broad range of choices in selecting their courses. The McNeil Academy also affords students the opportunity to work closely with faculty, alumni and other partners to gain knowledge and experience in managing risks in today’s increasingly complex world; to understand the educational benefits and career opportunities that come with pursuing a minor in risk management; and to obtain research and experiential learning opportunities through internships and through opportunities to assist organizations, including nonprofits, with risk management related services.


A minor in risk management is an outstanding complement to virtually any major, as it invites you to think about and approach problems in dynamic new ways. Here are just a few majors that pair especially well with a minor in risk management.

  • Anthropology
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Communication
  • Computer Science
  • Criminology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Some of the major risk categories include:

  • Economic
  • Environmental
  • Geopolitical
  • Health care
  • Societal
  • Technology

"We’re experiencing the effects that a pandemic has on people, businesses, and the overall economy, which risk managers will have to respond."