On Sept. 24 to 25, 14 students from DePauw University’s Delta Gamma Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) attended the 54th annual GIS International Conference at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Conn., widely known as the insurance capital of the world. Led by Professor of Business Analytics and Mathematical Sciences and faculty advisor for the chapter, Zhixin Wu, students gained valuable exposure to leading industry professionals and organizations through company visits, networking sessions and professional development workshops.
Even before the official start of the conference, several DePauw students participated in a corporate visit to The Cigna Group, one of the leading insurance companies based in Hartford, on Sept. 23. The visit included a campus tour and conversations with professionals across departments including actuarial science, underwriting and sales. Students gained first-hand insight into career pathways and learned about the company’s culture and development programs.
Ashley Le ‘27, attending her first company visit, shared, “It showed me how dynamic and purpose-driven this field can be—there are so many ways to make a real impact.”
The following morning, the DePauw GIS executive board attended the President’s Breakfast hosted at Travelers, one of the nation’s top property and casualty insurance firms. This exclusive event brought together student leaders and national GIS representatives to discuss leadership, chapter development and professional advancement. Later that day, the group toured The Hartford, where they explored the company’s long-standing legacy, actuarial development program and emphasis on inclusivity and mentorship.
Cindy Bui ‘28 reflected, “I appreciated how The Hartford emphasized community, growth and collaboration. The diverse career paths of their analysts were truly inspiring.” Senior Tina Song ‘26 added, “The company’s long history and strong reputation in the industry made the experience especially meaningful.”
Lam Nguyen ‘28 added that the panel discussion at the end of the visit helped her “gain valuable insights into career pathways, including how to decide between CAS (Casualty Actuarial Society) and SOA (Society of Actuaries), and what I should focus on during my college years.”
The official conference kicked off with an energetic career fair featuring more than 50 employers from the insurance, risk management and financial services industries. Students engaged directly with recruiters, participated in on-site interviews and explored internship and full-time opportunities.
Nga Nguyen ‘26, former President of DePauw’s Delta Gamma Chapter, highlighted the broader impact of the event: “I’ve come to really value the importance of networking and career fairs. These events are more than recruiting opportunities—they’re spaces to share your story, learn from professionals and discover new paths.” Annie Vu ‘27, a fellow attendee, described it as “an eye-opening experience,” while Le noted how the interactions helped her “gain confidence and improve communication skills.”
Professor Wu also took part in the Faculty Roundtable, where educators from universities nationwide discussed how to broaden student engagement in the Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) field. She shared insights on innovative teaching strategies and experiential learning opportunities that can help students connect classroom concepts with real-world industry applications.
“Many people still underestimate the range of opportunities available in insurance,” Dr. Wu remarked. “From analytics and finance to human resources and consulting, this industry has a place for every interest.”
The first day concluded with the Awards Dinner sponsored by The Hartford, offering students and faculty the chance to connect with industry leaders in a more personal setting. Andria Lim ‘26 shared, “It was a memorable experience—hearing professionals’ stories and sharing our own goals made the night truly special.” During the ceremony, DePauw’s Delta Gamma Chapter was once again recognized as an Excellent Chapter, marking the second time in three years that the university has earned this honor. The award reflects the chapter’s dedication to professional development, student engagement and strong industry partnerships
Day two opened with the second keynote address by Jason Doiron, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at National Life. Doiron shared personal tips on how to excel in the industry and emphasized how supportive the insurance field can be for young professionals, offering guidance and resources to help the next generation thrive. Nam Nguyen ‘27 commented, “He connected industry trends with practical advice for students,reminding us how to stand out in a fast-changing field.”
Throughout the day, students also participated in educational and professional development sessions hosted by partner organizations such as COUNTRY Financial’s "Evaluating Job Offers and Aon’s P&C (Re)insurance Market Dynamics and Capital Markets Trends." These workshops helped students refine their career goals and better understand the evolving landscape of insurance and actuarial science. Such sessions, often overlooked in traditional academic settings, provided valuable exposure to current industry trends and real-world insights that are not typically covered in classroom instruction.
Christine Nguyen ‘27, who attended the Aon Reinsurance session, stated, “As an actuarial student, it was eye-opening to connect what I study in pricing and reserving to the bigger picture of competition, market cycles and investor expectations. It reminded me that actuarial work isn’t done in isolation but is part of a much larger ecosystem.”
As the recruiting season begins, the Gamma Iota Sigma International Conference continues to serve as an invaluable platform for DePauw students to expand their industry knowledge, strengthen professional skills and form lasting connections. Many attendees left Hartford feeling inspired and well-prepared to pursue future opportunities
The GIS Delta Gamma Chapter extends heartfelt thanks to the Spencer Educational Foundation and Gamma Iota Sigma for their generous support, which made this trip possible and enriched students’ professional learning. “We are deeply grateful for the continued support from the Spencer Foundation and GIS,” said Professor Zhixin Wu. “Their commitment creates invaluable opportunities for our students to grow and connect with industry leaders.” Looking ahead, the chapter eagerly anticipates the 55th GIS International Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026.
