Rick Gorvett, FCAS, CERA, MAAA, ARM, FRM, Ph.D., chair of the Mathematics department within the College of Arts and Sciences
“I find Bryant’s philosophy of integrated education to be both compelling and absolutely appropriate as preparation for today’s world," says Rick Gorvett.
Top actuarial science and risk analytics expert Rick Gorvett joins Bryant faculty
Sep 07, 2018, by Staff Writer
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SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University has appointed of one of the country’s top actuarial science and enterprise risk management experts Rick Gorvett, FCAS, CERA, MAAA, ARM, FRM, Ph.D., as chair of the Mathematics Department within the College of Arts and Sciences. Gorvett’s appointment, effective August 2018, is part of the University’s strategic priority to elevate and enhance strengths in Mathematics, Analytics, and Data Science. Bryant is fortifying its programs in these areas to ensure that Bryant graduates are well prepared to become innovative leaders for the workforce of the future.

“Rick’s expertise aligns perfectly with the strategic priorities and direction of Bryant University,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy. “A hallmark of the Bryant education is in the integration of College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business, and Rick’s impressive career reflects the power of working across disciplines."

The University’s program in Applied Mathematics is ranked among the best in the country—No. 9 in USA Today/College Factual and Actuarial Science is ranked No. 30 by Value Colleges. More on Bryant’s top rankings here.

Most recently Gorvett served as staff actuary of the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), where, in addition to his roles as researcher, educator, and spokesperson, he helped create the professional Certified Specialist in Predictive Analytics Credential (CSPA). Established in 2016, the CSPA program certifies insurance professionals’ technical knowledge of analytics and the demonstrated ability to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.

“Rick’s expertise aligns perfectly with the strategic priorities and direction of Bryant University,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy. “A hallmark of the Bryant education is in the integration of College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business, and Rick’s impressive career reflects the power of working across disciplines. He is a scholar, teacher, business leader, and game changer who brings great value to our community of scholars.”

“Mathematics is the underpinning of so many academic disciplines and careers,” said Brad Martin, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Rick Gorvett’s deep disciplinary knowledge and leadership skills will enhance the College of Arts and Sciences’ capacity to educate, empower, and prepare all Bryant students for success no matter what path or career they choose.”

“Everything about Bryant – the quality of its students and faculty, its excellent reputation, the emphasis on teaching and mentoring, its physical beauty – makes this an incredible opportunity,” says Gorvett. “I find Bryant’s philosophy of integrated education to be both compelling and absolutely appropriate as preparation for today’s world.”

“Everything about Bryant – the quality of its students and faculty, its excellent reputation, the emphasis on teaching and mentoring, its physical beauty – makes this an incredible opportunity,” says Gorvett. “I find Bryant’s philosophy of integrated education to be both compelling and absolutely appropriate as preparation for today’s world.”

Gorvett spent 12 years as a professor and the director of the Actuarial Science Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was the State Farm Companies Foundation Scholar in Actuarial Science. While at the University of Illinois, he won the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, and appeared on the campus excellent teacher list 46 times. He has published more than 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals, won six research awards, given over 80 scholarly presentations, and been active in developing and delivering over 40 professional education seminars and online courses. He is editor-in-chief of Variance, the CAS’s scholarly publication, has served on the CAS board of directors, and was president of the Midwestern Actuarial Forum.

Prior to entering academic life, Gorvett was a corporate and consulting actuary, most recently serving as Senior VP and director of Internal Audit & Risk Management at Zurich North America. He’s also held posts at top global firms including EY, Towers Perrin, and Allstate Insurance.

He is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst, a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, an Associate in Risk Management, and he has the Financial Risk Manager designation. Gorvett received his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an MBA in Statistics and Econometrics from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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