Where are they now?: Tammy Kocher ’93
As a Redbird women’s basketball team captain, Tammy Kocher ’93 climbed Illinois State’s blocks-per-game list, where she still ranks in the top 25.
Appears In Illinois State: Spring 2025 FirstWord: Spring 2025 University News briefs: State Farm commits $3 million to data science Where are they now?: Dave Bentlin Kids learn to love hoops on Education Day Then and Now: Nursing education Pause for Applause: Spring 2025 A Day in the Life: Students connect through Fraternity and Sorority Life Earned it: Fischer ‘humbled’ by alumni award Class notes: Spring 2025 In memory: Spring 2025 Redbird trivia: Spring 2025 Thanks to you: Bone Scholar strives to make a difference Redbird Legacy: Music runs in the Mack family The lessons of Bangladesh: Dr. Ali Riaz gives voice to his native country as it fights for democracy Athletics briefs: Beggs named director of Athletics Trees of (college) life Appetite for success: Entrepreneur builds community through food Behind the lens: New York Times photographer Todd Heisler ’94 captures history in the making Read AllNow the vice president and head of cyber underwriting for MSI, Kocher is a defensive specialist—not on the basketball court, but by connecting and protecting some of the largest Fortune 500 companies against online threats for the past two decades.
“Cyber is a team sport,” said Kocher, who played for legendary coach Dr. Jill Hutchison, M.S. ’69.
After earning a degree in marketing, Kocher became a trailblazing cyber insurance leader who customizes insurance solutions by assessing network security and privacy risks.
Among her many industry awards, Kocher was a finalist for the Most Inspiring Woman in Cyber (2024), a Hot 100 Insurance Leader (2024), an Elite Woman Leader in Insurance (2022), and a Most Inspiring Woman in Cyber (2021).
Kocher credits her “monumental” experience as a Redbird for instilling “discipline, teamwork, and resiliency” that helped her become an internationally respected business leader.
“ISU is a place that still feels like home to me,” she said.
Latest Publications
- A message to the campus community on faculty negotiations, April 3, 2025The Provost thanks the University’s and Union’s negotiating teams for their continued good faith efforts during this week's ongoing faculty negotiations, referring to it as an indication of the deep care each group has for the broader good at Illinois State.
- Milner Library announces applications for its next Circus and Allied Arts fellowshipMilner Library will award fellowship(s) of $1,500.00 to selected scholars interested in researching any topic that requires the onsite use of the Circus & Allied Arts Collection at Illinois State University.
- UFISU contract negotiations update, April 3, 2025The University and the Union met for this forty-sixth negotiation session. The University presented a significantly enhanced on-the-record economic proposal, as well as an on-the record proposal on Definitions.
- RISE Town Hall forums, April 22 and 23Illinois State University is hosting RISE Town Hall open forums on Tuesday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 23, to provide an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about the redesign project and the guiding principles governing the redesign.
- FirstWord: Spring 2025A message from University Marketing and Communications Executive Director Brian Beam, M.S. ’94, MBA ’10
- University News briefs: State Farm commits $3 million to data scienceIllinois State received a $3 million gift commitment from State Farm to support the University’s new interdisciplinary data science bachelor’s degree program.
