Edition

SOA Outstanding Educator Award

Purpose:

The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes the contribution of an influential educator in the field of actuarial science. Applicants will be evaluated on multiple factors, which are outlined below.

At the Society of Actuaries (SOA), our goal is for all members and candidates to feel fully included and have equitable opportunities to enter, develop, grow and succeed in our chosen profession. We seek, welcome and nurture individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that represent the diversity of the workforce and thereby maximize the influence of the actuarial profession. In line with these values, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Inaugural Winner

Diana Skrzydlo, 2024 (Press Release)

Eligibility:

Individuals who meet the following requirements may apply:

  1. Actuarial science educators whose primary job is in education, have a minimum of 10 years of experience, and are not retired, i.e., are actively providing education in actuarial science, may apply.
  2. Applicants will typically be employed at colleges and universities, though applicants are not limited to those employed by those institutions.
  3. The program is open only to individuals (not institutions or joint colleagues).
  4. Applicants from throughout the world are encouraged to apply.

Candidates need to self-nominate. In future years, past award recipients cannot compete in the program.

Application:

The application period for this award is closed.

Applicants must submit the following documentation:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement that highlights your achievements as an educator and addresses eligibility criteria. In addition, the statement should describe past accomplishments, current work, and future plans and is limited to three pages.
    The Selection Committee seeks to assess your impact as an internationally recognized leader in actuarial education. Leadership can also be substantiated through evidence of outstanding service and research, particularly as it relates to the teaching of actuarial science.
  • At least two letters of recommendation directly addressing the applicant’s educational contributions. Letters of recommendation may come from supervisors, peers, and former students emailed directly from the recommender to sections@soa.org. 
  • All application materials must be written in English.

Award:

One recipient will be selected to receive a $1,000 USD award. All federal, state, provincial and local taxes on the award, if any, and other expenses related to accepting the award are the sole responsibility of the recipient.

Selection Criteria

Recipients are selected annually based on individual merit, regardless of race, sex, age, etc. The following list describes the three broad categories of educational contributions and the kinds of evidence that will typically be considered. Successful candidates will have a record of excellence in at least two of the three categories.

  • Scholarly output in actuarial science pedagogy:

    • Peer-reviewed research and newsletter articles

    • Conference or seminar presentations

    • Actuarial science textbooks or exam study guides and materials

    • Development of educational software

    • Case studies, published projects, and datasets to be used by actuarial science educators.

  • Actuarial science teaching:

    • Actuarial curricula and programmatic development

    • The range of courses taught

    • Innovative teaching methods and instruments

    • Video lectures or online tutorials

    • Testimony by former and/or current students about the candidate’s teaching effectiveness

    • College or University level recognition of educational excellence

  • Impact:

    • The number of actuarial science students taught and advised, or the number of aspiring actuaries mentored

    • Exam and professional success of former and/or current students

    • Media contributions that highlight the actuarial career

    • Promotion of the actuarial profession for example at high school career days or college admissions events

    • Service in the educational mission of any actuarial organization (e.g. E&R Section Council; SOA Examination Committees)

Recipients are selected annually based on individual merit, regardless of race, sex, age, etc. The SOA Education and Research Section Council reserves the right not to grant the award if the selection committee, at its sole discretion, determines that no candidate meets the award criteria.

Key Dates

  • April 30, 2024: The completed application and required documentation must be received at the SOA.
  • June/July: The award recipient is contacted and must notify SOA that they accept the award with 2 weeks.
  • July/August: The award recipient will be announced publicly.

Contact

For any questions concerning this award, please contact: sections@soa.org

The personal information collected through this award is subject to Society of Actuaries' Privacy Policy. By submitting an application to this award, you agree to the use of your personal information as described in the above Privacy Policy.