Edition

Society of Actuaries Names New Recipients of James C. Hickman Scholars Program

Schaumburg, IL, May 25, 2023 – The Society of Actuaries (SOA) named six actuarial candidates as SOA James C. Hickman Scholars. The scholars program provides stipends to doctoral candidates working on actuarial research and education.

The 2023—2024 SOA Hickman Scholars are:

  • Siegfried Anyomi (University of Iowa)
  • Lydia Gabric (Arizona State University)
  • Zhanyi Jiao, ASA (University of Waterloo)
  • Thomas Landry, ASA, AICA (Université du Québec à Montréal)
  • Benxuan Shi (University of Waterloo)
  • Yuanyuan Zhang (University of Waterloo)

The SOA Board of Directors established the Hickman Scholars program to increase the number of academic actuaries who have a Ph.D. and an actuarial designation; and who intend to pursue academic careers in the U.S. or Canada. The SOA Board named the program in memory of James C. Hickman, FSA, former dean of the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Business, who helped support actuarial research and teaching as a member of the SOA. Each recipient receives a $20,000 stipend for the 2023—2024 academic year.

These scholar recipients were chosen from many highly qualified applicants currently enrolled in or applying to actuarial science doctoral programs or a related field, in the U.S. or Canada. Recipients have made progress toward, or have already attained, an actuarial designation, either associate of the SOA (ASA) or fellow of the SOA (FSA).

In addition, the SOA renewed stipends for four previous Hickman Scholars for the 2023—2024 academic year. These include:

  • Yiping Guo (University of Waterloo)
  • Shimeng Huang, ASA (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
  • Liyuan Lin (University of Waterloo)
  • Michael Zhu (University of Waterloo)

Visit the program page to learn more about the Hickman Scholars.

About The SOA
With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world’s largest actuarial professional organization with nearly 32,000 actuaries as members. Through research and education, the SOA’s mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and to enhance the ability of actuaries to provide expert advice and relevant solutions for financial, business and societal challenges. The SOA’s vision is for actuaries to be the leading professionals in the measurement and management of risk.