About The Major
Founding Penn State’s actuarial science major was founded in 1973 by Dr. Arnold Shapiro in the Department of Mathematics. By 1990, the degree had expanded to have an actuarial science major within the Insurance Department of the College of Business Administration (today, this is the Risk Department in the Smeal College of Business). The two majors had over 90 juniors and seniors between them! Recognition Early on, a great deal of emphasis in the actuarial courses was placed on communication, stressing particularly the conceptualization of mathematical and statistical concepts. This excellence in teaching continued through the turn of the millennium, and Penn State was rewarded with the distinction of a “Center of Actuarial Excellence” in 2011, becoming just the 21st school to receive such a designation. The distinction officially recognizes actuarial science programs for their degree curriculum, graduate count and quality, faculty composition, appropriate integration of courses, connection to industry, and research and scholarship. The Major Today Today, there are three paths to major in actuarial science: Actuarial Mathematics, Actuarial Statistics, and Actuarial Science. Across the three majors, Penn State graduates over 200 aspiring actuaries every year! Provided through the Penn State are 1) the courses needed to satisfy the professional Verification by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements and 2) courses designed to help you pass five of the preliminary professional examinations in the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), which one needs to be an actuary. |
NewslettersAbout the ClubFounding After the actuarial science major was established, it quickly grew. In the early 1990s, the large major had only one professor, and it needed help supporting its students. Who came to the aid of the students? The students themselves! Students organized the Actuarial Science Club as an active organization for the academic and social interaction for Penn State actuarial students. Working directly with the department, the club flourished and has continued helping actuarial students. The Club Today One of the most important responsibilities of the Actuarial Science Club today is the organization of the Actuarial Science Career Fair. The student-run fair brings together over 150 students and about 30 companies each year, spanning industries from insurance to consulting. As a result of a successful career fair, The Club is able to financially support its students, offering exam reimbursements and study materials. Additionally, the club hosts workshops, events, and speakers to supplement coursework and provide additional career-focused development. We strongly encourage all first-year students to become involved with the Club to ensure successful development of essential career skills. |
Executive Board
Club Advisor - Mandy Hammell
Hi! My name is Mandy Hammell. I am the head of the Actuarial Science Program at Penn State. I graduated from Penn State (many years ago) with a degree in Mathematics with an option in Actuarial Science. I am an FSA and a CLU (Certified Life Underwriter). I worked for 30 years as an actuary at Prudential Financial. I had exposure to a wide variety of actuarial work during my career at Prudential. In my free time, I enjoy puzzles, travelling and spending time with friends and family. If you have questions about the career, I’m happy to chat with you! Contact Mandy with administrative questions or questions about the actuarial science program! |
President - Srikar Sunil
Hi! My name is Srikar Sunil. I am the President of the Actuarial Science Program. I am a junior majoring in Actuarial Science through Smeal. Last summer, I was an actuarial intern at Liberty Mutual in their Commerical Property Pricing department. Currently, I am working at Milliman in their P&C practice, and this upcoming summer, I will be interning at Ernst & Young. I have passed Exam P, FM, and MAS-I. I enjoy working out, playing racquet sports, and hanging out with my friends. Contact me with questions about anything club/actuarial related! |
Vice President - Anthony Padula
Hi! My name is Anthony Padula, and I am a junior double majoring in Actuarial Science and Spanish. This summer I will be interning with Oliver Wyman. Outside of the club, I am involved with the Sapphire Leadership Academic Program. I have passed Exams P, FM, and SRM, and currently am working towards UEC credit for FAM. In my spare time I like to play tennis, golf, read, work out, watch football, and play guitar. Contact me with questions about anything club/actuarial related! |
Director of Finance - Olivia Lechthaler
Hi! I'm Olivia Lechthaler and I am double majoring an Actuarial Science and Accounting. Last summer I interned for Lincoln Financial Group and this upcoming summer I will be interning with Cigna. I have passed Exam P and am currently preparing for FM. I'm also involved in TEDxPSU, and in my free time, I love to ski, play tennis, read, and bake! Feel free to contact me regarding exam reimbursements, dues, or any general questions about Actuarial Science at Penn State! |
Director of Technology - Sean Gordon
Hi! My name is Sean Gordon. I am the Director of Technology for the Actuarial Science Club. I am a sophomore double majoring in Actuarial Science and Accounting. This summer I will be interning with Highmark Health. I am also involved in the Sapphire Academic Leadership Program, and I love participating in their THON division. I have passed exam P and am currently working towards UEC credit for FM. Outside of my club involvements, I love playing basketball and volleyball, hanging out with my friends, and my favorite ice cream flavor from the Berkey Creamery is grilled stickies! Contact me with questions about the resume books, databases, or any general questions! |
Director of Corporate Outreach - Matthew Bretz
Hi! My name is Matthew Bretz, and I am currently a second-year majoring in Actuarial Science. This past summer I interned with Resolution Life US and am excited to join Prudential this upcoming summer. I have passed exam P and am currently studying for FM. Outside of the club, I am involved in the Sapphire Leadership Academic Program and Club Pickleball. I enjoy working out, coin collecting, and reading. Contact me with questions regarding the career fair, information sessions, or anything actuarial related! |
Director of Communications - Lauren Lavis
Hello! My name is Lauren Lavis and I am a junior majoring in Actuarial Science through Smeal. I have passed Exam P and FM, and am currently studying for Exam FAM-S. Last summer, I was an intern at Resolution Life US as a member of the Behavioral Analytics team. This upcoming summer, I am excited to be returning to Resolution Life US. Outside of the Actuarial Science Club, I am a member of the THON organization FOTO. In my free time I enjoy working out, baking, and playing board games. Contact me with any questions about club discounts, club events, or the weekly email! |
Director of Student Development - Luke Popadiuk
Hi! My name is Luke Popadiuk. I am the Director of Student Development for the Actuarial Science Club. I am a junior majoring in Actuarial Science through Smeal. Last summer, I interned at Cigna in Philadelphia on their Supplemental Health team. Currently, Anthony Padula and I are TAs for RM 214, the Exam P class, as well as the THON Chair for Club Spikeball. This upcoming summer, I will be interning at Deloitte in New York. I have passed Exam P, FM, and took Exam SRM in January and am waiting on results. Contact me with any questions about the bootcamp getting involved as an actuarial student! |
CAS Ambassador
CAS Ambassador - Sam Sweeney
Hi! My name is Sam Sweeney, and I am a junior majoring in Actuarial Science through Smeal with a minor in Economics. I have passed Exams P, FM, CAS DISC IA, CAS DISC RM, and CAS DISC DA. My role as CAS Student Ambassador gives me the opportunity to bring in resources from the Casualty Actuarial Society to support students tracking the Property and Casualty route. This upcoming summer, I will be interning with CNA in Chicago. Outside the CAS Ambassador Role, I have served on the Rush Committee for the Nationally Recognized Business Fraternity, Phi Beta Lambda. I am also a member of the nationally recognized Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity and a member of the Nonprofit Poker Club here at Penn State. In my free time I enjoy lifting and playing cards! Contact me with any questions about CAS opportunities and events! |
International Student Liaison
International Student Liaison - Honey Patel
Hi! My name is Honey Patel. I am the International Student Liaison for the Actuarial Science Club. I am majoring in Mathematics with Actuarial science specialization through Eberly College of Science. I have passed exam P and will be interning with Prudential Financial in their Newark office this summer. I am also a TA in the Math department and involved in the Women in Math Association at Penn State. In my free time, I like to play badminton, go to gym, and spend time with my friends! Contact me with any questions about International and Commonwealth student opportunities! |
Executive Board Structure
Officer Descriptions
President
Responsibilities:
- Manage Directors
- Primary contact for Directors of Corporate Outreach and Finance
- Check to make sure projects are being completed
- Confirm events with any cash flows (+/-)
- Aid where needed
- Focus on strategy plans for club with VP
- Check-in and maintain open communications with faculty advisor
- Oversee company relationships for PSU events
- Corporate mock interviews
- Direct club officers and executive board interviewing/hiring
- Lead/Present
- Executive club meetings
- Major Forum, Resume & Interview Workshops with VP
- Freshman Initiatives with VP
Vice President
Responsibilities:
- Manage directors
- Primary contact for Directors of Communication & Technology
- Check to make sure projects are being completed
- Confirm events with any cash flows (+/-)
- Aid where needed
- Focus on strategy plans for club with President
- Runs annual Boot Camp program
- Check-in and maintain open communication with faculty advisor
- Lead/Present
- Major Forum, Resume and Interview Workshops with President
- Freshman Initiatives with President
- Assist in running executive board meetings
Finance
Responsibilities:
- Manage club funds account/approve cash flows with President
- Enforce dues collection/process reimbursements through ASA
- Create general budget for each semester
Technology
Responsibilities:
Director
Assistant Director
Director
- Update and maintain recruiter and alumni databases
- Create resume books
- Plan technical/coding workshops
- Manage technical project portions of the boot camp
- Assist Webmaster in technology-related tasks
Assistant Director
- Update and maintain exam passers and students with jobs/internships lists
- Maintain scheduling tool
- Regularly update and improve website
- Find and/or create new resources for students be included on the website
- Track and boost website traffic
Corporate outreach
Responsibilities:
Director
Director
- Organize Career Fair and information sessions
- Coordinate room / atrium reservations
- Organize company field trips
- Assist Director in organizing the Career Fair and information sessions
- Make Career Fair brochure/floor plan
- Help organize company field trips
- Plan events/workshops for student professional development
communications
Responsibilities:
Director
Assistant Director
Director
- Organize, write, and distribute the annual club newsletter
- Send the club weekly email by communicating with all Directors and Assistant Directors
- Manage study material reimbursement programs with risk management classes
- Oversee class GroupMe and club communications
Assistant Director
- Create infographics and other advertising materials for club events
- Design and manage sale of club merchandise
- Assist in the development of the annual club newsletter
- Manage the Google calendar
- Oversee class GroupMe and club communications
Student engagement
Responsibilities:
Director
Director
- Manage club mentorship program
- Initiate projects and events to increase student involvement with an emphasis on underclassmen involvement
- Organize social events, including (ice cream) socials, barbecues/picnics, lunches, and games
- Oversee assistant director and guide them in their efforts
- Organize social events to increase international student involvement
- Create materials and to help international/commonwealth students with their transition
- Lead international/commonwealth student meeting
- Work with Corporate Outreach to create more opportunities for international students
- Reach out to commonwealth campuses so transferring students are aware of resources