Five years ago, the Pinnacle blog highlighted the work of the Minority High School Scholars Analytics Academy, or MHSSAA, Illinois State University’s program for introducing minority students to the actuarial profession.  

In 2020, the MHSSAA will mark its 25th year, and the time is right once again to pause and honor this program and all that it represents to the insurance industry, the actuarial profession and the students it serves. Through the MHSSAA, participating students from around the country learn about how insurance works, the requirements of the actuarial profession and the role of analytical skills in solving real-world business problems.

According to the MHSSAA, the academy helps students:

• Gain an understanding of what kinds of analytics are performed in the insurance and financial services industries
• Acquire knowledge of how they can use their mathematical ability in various careers in the insurance and financial services industry
• Do hands-on work in business analysis and data visualization while on campus
• Develop personal contacts with industry professionals and organizations that provide scholarships, internships, summer jobs, and mentors to help guide their careers
• Find out about careers such as actuary, business analyst, market analyst, data scientist, and other related professions¹ 

Pinnacle is a proud supporter of the MHSSAA and under normal circumstances, actively participates in the week-long academy. We engage with students on what it means to be an actuarial professional in today’s marketplace. We introduce the unique dimensions of property/casualty consulting and familiarize students with our industry standard-bearer, the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), and its vital role in the property/casualty actuarial profession.

The property/casualty industry and the actuarial profession, like practically every industry and profession, are undergoing rapid and profound change. Yet our profession remains a great option for any student with the requisite aptitude and passion for data, math and analytics.

It is a sad and an unusual time, and the MHSSAA has decided to cancel this year’s academy because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

But moving forward, Pinnacle supports the MHSSAA and is very pleased to congratulate them on their silver anniversary. They do great work with terrific students, exposing them to meaningful career options. That early exposure to the actuarial profession can be key in a student’s career choice and success in actuarial exams.

1. MHSSAA Brochure