Mission
Our club helps actuarial students pass actuarial exams and land their dream jobs. We run events to strengthen our students' leadership, networking, professional, and actuarial skills. We aim to continue Penn State's legacy as one of the world's 33 CAEs (Center of Actuarial Excellence) and one of only 19 CAEs in the United States.
About The Major
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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. 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. |
About 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 |
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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 - Colin Turer |
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Hello! I am Colin Turer an actuarial science major (Smeal 2027) and the president of the Penn State Actuarial Science Club. I have interned at Transamerica and Milliman and I will be interning at The Cigna Group this summer. I have passed P, FM, and SRM. Outside of actuarial science I am interested in playing and coaching hockey, Boston sports, golf, and snowboarding. Contact me with questions about anything club/actuarial related! |
Vice President - Abigail Guevara |
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Hi! My name is Abigail Guevara. I am a third-year student majoring in Actuarial Science through Smeal, and I am this year's Vice President of the Penn State Actuarial Science Club. This past summer, I interned with Milliman's Philly Health office, and I am excited to go back next summer! I have passed P, FM, and FAM. I am currently preparing for FAM-L. Outside of the club, I am the TA for RM410 and the Student President for Smeal's Beta Gamma Sigma chapter. I enjoy reading, dancing, and watching movies. Contact me with questions about anything club/actuarial related! |
Director of Finance - Carson Bish |
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My name is Carson Bish, and I am an Actuarial Science Major in the Smeal College of Business. I have passed Exam P, and I am right now studying / doing the UEC credit for Exam FM. When I'm not studying, I play for the club baseball team, and I enjoy hockey, hanging out with friends, and collecting sports cards. I am also interested in hopefully becoming a business owner one day (whether it be a side hustler or full time job). Feel free to contact me regarding exam reimbursements, dues, or any general questions about Actuarial Science at Penn State! |
Director of Technology - Evan Partridge |
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Hello, my name is Evan Partridge and I am the Technology Director. I am a third-year majoring in Actuarial Science. I have previously interned at Munich Re and will be interning with Oliver Wyman in Summer 2026. Outside of class, I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing for the Penn State Men's Club Ice Hockey Team. Contact me with questions regarding the website, resume books, attendance, or any general questions! |
Director of Corporate Outreach - Brogan Dilmore |
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Hi, I am an Actuarial Science major in the Smeal College of business. I've passed exams P and FM and am intering at Milliman for the Spring and Allstate for the summer. Outside of work, I like rock-climbing, running, and soccer. Contact me with any questions about the career fair, info sessions, or general company-sponsored events throughout the year! Contact me with questions regarding the career fair, information sessions, or anything actuarial-related! |
Director of Communications - Abbas Peera |
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Hi, my name is Abbas Peera, and I am a sophomore majoring in Actuarial Science through the Smeal College of Business. I am currently the Director of Communications for the Actuarial Science Club. This past summer, I interned with Aetna in their Hartford, CT office on the Large Group Commercial Rate Review team, and I am excited to be interning with Cigna this summer in their Philadelphia, PA office. I have passed Exams P and FM and am currently studying for FAM and SRM. Outside of class, I am involved with the Global Business Brigades organization and will be traveling to Ghana this May for a consulting trip. Contact me with any questions regarding exam material discount codes, club events, or the weekly email! |
Director of Student Development - Gavin Rawski |
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I am an Actuarial Science major in the Smeal College of Business with a minor in Information Systems Management. I have passed Exam P and Exam FM and am interning at Highmark Health this summer, where I also interned last year. Outside of work and academics, I enjoy lifting, running, and golfing. Contact me with questions regarding getting involved with the club, career development, the bootcamp, or anything actuarial-related! |
CAS Ambassador
CAS Ambassador - Jeese Castillo |
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International Student Liaison
International Student Ambassador - Madhi Pathan |
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Bio currently drafting
Contact me with any questions about International and Commonwealth student opportunities!
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