Fifteen students from Morgan State University’s Actuarial Science Program traveled to Bermuda in March for an educational and professional development trip, marking the second consecutive year the university has visited the reinsurance hub.
The program builds on the 2024 visit and continues the university’s efforts to provide students with exposure to the global financial and risk management sectors.
A session hosted by Athene included an actuarial escape room activity designed to help students apply technical knowledge in a real-world setting. Students also participated in networking discussions centered on industry trends, actuarial career paths, and exam preparation.
Morgan’s Actuarial Science Program, based in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, is the only such program at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and one of two approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The curriculum incorporates mathematics, finance, accounting, and economics, with a focus on risk analysis and insurance careers.
As part of the trip, students visited Bermuda’s Berkeley Institute, a local high school that partners with Morgan through its Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS). Two Berkeley Institute students attended SAAMS in 2024; that number is expected to grow to five in 2025, with sponsorships provided by six Bermuda-based insurance firms.
The visit concluded with a reception hosted by the Bermuda International Long-Term Insurers and Reinsurers (BILTIR), where students met industry leaders and SAAMS alumni, reinforcing professional connections between Bermuda and the US.
The program is supported by funding from Symetra and the Spencer Foundation. Symetra has committed US$750,000 over six years, the largest contribution to Morgan’s Actuarial Science Program to date. The funding includes US$20,000 in scholarships for 25 students, in addition to underwriting travel and other career development opportunities.
Bermuda has continued to roll out support for students looking to break through the re/insurance space. In October, the partnership between ILS Bermuda and Bermuda College to develop a talent pipeline for Bermuda’s insurance-linked securities (ILS) was renewed for 2025.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.
