The purpose of our Where Are They Now series is twofold. We love to share Alumni success stories to inspire current and future Ball State students and to highlight opportunities provided by our department. Thank you for helping tell the Ball State story of how we fly!

Please introduce yourself—I’d love to know when you attended Ball State, your area(s) of study, and any other tidbits that help us get to know you.

I’m originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and attended Ball State University from 2020 to 2024. I graduated with a major in actuarial science and minors in risk management, business, computer science and meteorology.

During my time at Ball State, I was also heavily involved with GIS and the Actuarial Science Club. These clubs helped me develop a better understanding of the insurance industry and network with professionals from across the country.

Tell us about your current job. We’d love to hear about the day-to-day work and your broader projects.

I currently work as an actuarial analyst with Swiss Re in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I have spent the past two years. I am part of the In-Force Solutions team, which focuses on improving the performance and sustainability of life insurance business that direct insurance companies have reinsured with Swiss Re.

Much of my work has centered on our Post Level Term (PLT) solution. Term life insurance policies often have a level premium period, commonly 10, 20 or 30 years, after which premiums can increase dramatically, sometimes by 10-to-20 times the original premium. As a result, many policyholders choose to lapse their coverage when the increase takes effect.

Our team works with the direct insurance companies to redesign those PLT premium patterns so that the increase is more gradual and manageable for policyholders. By reducing the premium shock, we can help more people maintain their coverage while also creating value for both the insurer and Swiss Re.

On a day-to-day basis, I build, maintain, and run actuarial models that evaluate how different premium structures affect policyholder behavior, lapse rates, and long-term business outcomes. These models are used to analyze large blocks of business and help inform strategic decisions for our clients. It is rewarding work because it combines data analysis, problem-solving, and real-world impacts on policyholders and their families.

Will you describe your career path. Did you land your current job immediately after graduation or find your way there circuitously?

By being a recent graduate, the path to my current job has been fairly straightforward. I had two internships during my time at Ball State.

Before my junior year at Ball State, I completed an internship with an employee benefits brokerage firm. That experience gave me my first exposure to the insurance industry and helped me confirm that I wanted to pursue a career in the field.

Before my senior year, I interned with Swiss Re. The internship went very well, and I was able to continue working part-time throughout my senior year while finishing my degree. Toward the end of my senior year, I accepted a full-time offer from Swiss Re and transitioned directly into my current role after graduation. Having those internship experiences was incredibly valuable because they helped me understand different areas of the insurance industry and gave me practical experience before entering the workforce full-time.

What is the most fulfilling part of your current job?

One of Swiss Re’s goals is to make the world more resilient, and I feel fortunate to contribute to that mission through my work. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is knowing that the work we do can help people maintain life insurance coverage when they otherwise might lose it. By helping insurers create more sustainable premium structures, we can reduce policy lapses and allow more families to keep the protection they originally purchased.

5. What are the most valuable skills you learned as a Ball State student in the College of Sciences and Humanities? How have they helped you post-graduation?

The Actuarial Science program and the College of Sciences and Humanities provided me with a strong analytical foundation that has been invaluable in my career. Most obviously, the program helped prepare me for actuarial exams, which are a critical part of professional development in the actuarial field. Beyond exam preparation skills, being able to strengthen my technical skills has proved to be invaluable whilst working with large and often complex actuarial models. Countless time have I gone back and used something I learned from the actuarial software course on a daily basis.

Is there a particular class, professor, or professional opportunity that had a particularly significant impact on you?

As I alluded to previously, the actuarial software class has been the most impactful course for me personally. Outside of that, the professional opportunities provided by GIS and the Actuarial Science Club were also tremendously helpful to my development as an actuary. These opportunities included the company presentations at the start of every school year, which allowed me to connect with all sorts of different types of insurance companies. Similarly, GIS conferences provided valuable insights into the industry at large and networking opportunities with students from other universities.

What advice do you have for current or future students in your major or who might hope to follow your career path?

My biggest piece of advice is to focus on building a strong foundation while also exploring opportunities outside your core major. For actuarial students, passing exams should remain a top priority, but don’t underestimate the value of pursuing minors, electives, or experiences that broaden your skill set.

Thank you for your time and impact! Chirp, Chirp!