Actuarial science is often described as a “best-kept secret” career path. While demand for actuaries continues to grow, many students remain unaware of the field until late in their academic journey, if at all.
To help address this gap, the Actuarial Science Program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) hosted its inaugural Actuarial Science High School Day on April 18, 2026. The event aimed to introduce local high school students from the Middle Tennessee area to the profession while highlighting the broader applications and real-world impact of actuarial science.
This Saturday morning event brought together faculty, students, industry professionals and community partners for a morning of presentations, discussions and hands-on activities.
Event Highlights
The events were intentionally structured to move from foundational concepts to broader career applications. The morning began with welcome remarks from Dr. Chris Stephens, chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, who introduced students to the department and its actuarial science program.
This was followed by an introductory session by Sydney McIndoo, FCAS, MAAA, of CedarStone Actuarial on how to become an actuary and what students can expect from the actuarial career path. Michelle Bradley, ACAS, MAAA, ARM, CERA, from SIGMA Actuarial then discussed practical applications of actuarial science, while Dmitry Terekhov, FSA, MAAA, from Willis Towers Watson highlighted the diverse industries where actuaries work, including insurance, healthcare, finance and consulting.
A major highlight of the day was the keynote session, “Life of an Actuary,” presented by Ian Duncan, Ph.D., FSA, FIA, FCIA, FCA, CSPA, MAAA, president-elect and vice-chair of the Society of Actuaries (SOA). His presentation offered students a compelling perspective on the profession, based on his extensive industry experience, as well as the broader societal impact of actuarial work.
Following a coffee break, students learned about nontraditional career paths from Dusty Gray of First Acceptance Insurance before participating in hands-on premium-pricing activities led by Jason Luckett, ACAS, MAAA; Emma Ward; and Jennifer Rody from SIGMA Actuarial.
The final event of the day was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sooie-Hoe Loke and featuring Dr. Ian Duncan, Dr. Vajira Manathunga, Michelle Bradley, Dusty Gray, Skylar Hallingstad (MTSU Actuarial Math Student Association president) and Dmitry Terekhov. Students and parents asked thoughtful questions about actuarial exams, internships, work-life balance and emerging trends in analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).
The event concluded with raffle prizes and a pizza lunch, providing additional opportunities for informal conversations and networking.
Extending the Conversation Beyond Actuarial Science
We made full use of Dr. Duncan’s campus visit by organizing a university-wide presentation that extended beyond the high school event itself. On April 17, he gave a talk, “Health Insurance in the Age of Big Data and AI,” which attracted strong participation from across campus, including attendees from nonactuarial disciplines.
One attendee, Dr. Sam Zaza from the Department of Information Systems and Analytics at MTSU, reflected on the experience afterward:
What stood out to me most was how knowledgeable the speaker was and how effectively he explained actuarial concepts in a way that was accessible to a broader audience. He took a complex field and made it easy to follow, which I really appreciated.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how broad the actuarial field is. It was interesting to see how relevant it is beyond traditional insurance, particularly in healthcare analytics, where those skills can make a direct impact.
The talk definitely deepened my understanding of actuarial science and its connections to analytics and strategy. It reinforced for me how important it is to bridge technical work with practical application.
I think conversations like this are so valuable because they bring people from different fields together and spark new ways of thinking. They open the door for collaboration and help us see how our work can connect in meaningful ways. It also simplifies what the field is about and attracts more students who may have little understanding of this major to consider it.
This feedback reinforced one of the event’s broader goals: actuarial science has relevance far beyond traditional insurance applications, and effective outreach can help communicate that value to a wider audience.
Why Early Exposure Matters
For many participants, the events over these two days may have been their first introduction to actuarial science. By presenting the profession in an engaging and accessible way, we hope to broaden awareness and encourage students to consider career paths they may not otherwise encounter.
Equally important was demonstrating the versatility of actuarial training. From healthcare analytics to financial strategy and predictive modeling, students saw how actuarial thinking can be applied to a wide range of modern challenges.
The impact of the high school event was also reflected in feedback from families. One parent shared afterward:
I did not attend, but my son did. He had nothing but good things to say. It was very informative, and he’s decided actuarial science will be his major.
Comments like this highlight the importance of outreach at the high school level. Many talented students simply have not been exposed to the profession early enough to seriously consider it as a career path.
Looking Ahead
The success of MTSU’s inaugural Actuarial Science High School Day demonstrates the value of collaboration between universities, professional organizations and industry partners in promoting the actuarial profession.
Future iterations of the event will aim to expand participation, strengthen interactive components and continue building relationships with schools and industry professionals. We hope initiatives like this will help broaden awareness of actuarial science while inspiring the next generation of actuaries.
Acknowledgments
This event was made possible through the collective efforts of faculty, student volunteers, alumni and industry partners who generously contributed their time and expertise.
We are especially grateful to our industry collaborators, including professionals from CedarStone Actuarial, SIGMA Actuarial, Willis Towers Watson and First Acceptance Insurance, whose participation provided students with direct exposure to practicing actuaries and real-world applications of the profession.
We also acknowledge the support of the SOA through its student ambassadorship program, which helped bring distinguished actuarial leader Ian Duncan to campus.
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Neither the Society of Actuaries nor the respective authors’ employers make any endorsement, representation or guarantee with regard to any content, and disclaim any liability in connection with the use or misuse of any information provided herein. This article should not be construed as professional or financial advice. Statements of fact and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of the Society of Actuaries or the respective authors’ employers.
Sooie-Hoe Loke, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University. He can be reached at sooiehoe.loke@mtsu.edu.
Vajira Manathunga, Ph.D., ASA, is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University and the director of the Actuarial Science Program. He can be reached at Vajira.Manathunga@mtsu.edu.