Description: The brief from the editor of Expanding Horizons for this essay was to give some personal reflections on how actuarial education and research influence actuarial practice.

Description: This article explains the changes made to the Expanding Horizons Newsletter.

Description: A solicitation for letters to the editor of Expanding Horizons.

Description: The chairperson discussed a number of Education and Research Section sponsored initiatives that are designed to support the strengthening the academic arm of the profession. Scholarships, Centers of Actuarial Excellence, and research prizes, among others were addressed.

Description: In this article, the author discusses the purpose of the IME and announces the next location.

Description: Learning excellence is of value to both candidates and credentialed actuaries learning new areas. Learning mastery and excellence requires 1) use of executive function (EF), multiple brain areas, for example, verbal, formal (algebraic), computational, and geometric (rule of four), and 2) goal-setting, skillful breaking down of complex tasks into subtasks each of which are simultaneously 2a) clear and specific, 2b) achievable in a short time and 2c) challenging. 10 examples are presented illustrating use of the "rule of four" to achieve elegant solutions to otherwise complex problems as well as goal setting using fellowship-exam approaches, approaches to multi-component problems, and skillful use of databases as visual organizers. The material reflects a new approach to learning complexity that is easier to use than the pedagogic hierarchies and unifies them.

Description: It is an interview

Description: Request for letters to the editor of the Expanding Horizons section.

Description: This short note discusses creativity in the context of actuarial science, and how to cultivate it. We first attempt to define creative thinking as opposed to procedural thinking or memory recall. We then describe concrete examples of actuarial projects that promote deeper thinking. We also address why creativity is needed and how to make sure our students are able to communicate their creative ideas effectively.