Bermudians Join Morgan State Summer Academy
The U.S. Consulate, in collaboration with Morgan State University, announced the acceptance of two Bermudian students into Morgan State’s 2024 Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences [SAAMS] Program.
A spokesperson said, “Zai Daniels, who attends The Berkeley Institute, and Deontae Scott, who attends CedarBridge Academy, will participate in the six-week program June 17 – July 28, that will run for three weeks virtually with the final three weeks in person at Morgan State in Baltimore, Maryland.
“On June 7, 2024, U.S. Consul General Karen Grissette hosted a celebratory meeting to congratulate the successful candidates and to connect them with representatives from several insurance companies committed to sponsoring the students’ flights, stipends, and additional expenses associated with travel to Baltimore, Maryland.
“The event was attended by the program participants and their supportive family members, as well as Morgan State’s Actuarial Science Program Director Candice Marshall, Berkeley Institute Principal Keisha Douglas, CedarBridge Principal Kenneth Caesar, Somerset Re Head of New Business Development Manisa Dias, Bermuda International Long Term Insurers and Reinsurers [BILTIR] Executive Director Suzanne Williams-Charles, BILTIR Chairwoman and Athene CEO Natasha Scotland Courcy, Fortitude Re Senior Vice President Enterprise Risk Jamie Schmerer, Chubb Executive Sean Ringsted, BermudAir Founder Adam Scott, and Harrington Primary School Principal Cindy Weeks – an esteemed Morgan State alum.”
“Congratulations to Zai Daniels and Deontae Scott for their acceptance into the SAAMS program. I also want to thank them for taking the initiative to apply and for their interest in pursuing educational opportunities in the United States,” said U.S. Consul General Karen Grissette.
“I am so proud of the collaboration between the U.S. Consulate, Morgan State University, and corporate sponsors who have committed to supporting this new U.S.-Bermuda education exchange opportunity. We quickly mobilized to promote the summer program for Bermuda residents after discussions with Morgan State’s Actuarial Science Program Director Candice Marshall, who visited Bermuda in April with a cohort of students. Our international business partners and education stakeholders were eager to support this pathway for students interested in education and career opportunities in actuarial science and offered to provide funding to support travel expenses and additional costs associated with the on-campus experience, including cultural site visits in the Washington D.C metro area.”
Candice Marshall shared her enthusiasm about the U.S.-Bermuda partnership, “I am pleased to personally congratulate Zai and Deontae and to connect with Morgan State’s new Bermuda partners and education stakeholders. Our visit to Bermuda provided our students with a rare chance to explore the world of reinsurance and learn from industry experts. I am proud of the connections we made with the Government of Bermuda, U.S. Consulate General, and various reinsurance companies on the island. I look forward to continuing this partnership and will welcome Zai and Deontae on Morgan State’s campus in July.”
BILTIR Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Williams-Charles added, “BILTIR is thrilled to champion this opportunity in support of growing local talent. We look forward to expanding the Bermuda-Morgan State partnership and wish Zai and Deontae much success as they pursue their educational goals.”
The spokesperson said, “The Summer Academy is a rigorous academic enrichment program designed to foster excitement among rising final year secondary school students in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, and Computer Science. This pipeline program is within Morgan State’s Department of Mathematics where students will attend mathematics and actuarial science classes. The goal of the SAAMS program is to help increase the number of students who will enter mathematics and actuarial science fields. SAAMS students are exposed to interdisciplinary approaches to learning and furthering their education.
“Applicants are selected through a competitive application and interview process, and applicants who are accepted into and complete the SAAMS Program are rewarded a stipend. Students experience program-related field trips and professional development sessions.
“Morgan State University is a Historically Black Research Institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. Morgan State is the only Historically Black College and University [HBCU] with an Actuarial Sciences major.”
