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College of Business
High school students posing with Reggie

Outreach, Diversity Initiatives, and Educational Programs

Programs for high school guidance counselors and career advisors.

Midwest High School Scholars Analytics Academy for Underrepresented Groups Presentations

The purpose of MHSSAA week-long summer camp is to increase recruitment and retention of students from historically marginalized groups (e.g., students of color, Pell-eligible or low-income students, first-generation college students, etc.) interested in careers in actuarial science, analytics, and insurance. This program is FREE to students. Meals and lodging are paid for by corporate sponsors.

Visit the MHSSAA facebook homepage

2023 MHSSAA Program Dates

Sunday - July 9 through Friday July 14, 2023

  • 2023 Special Features

    • Participate in fun, interactive activities where you will learn how to analyze risks in society
    • Manage risk in teams on running your business.
    • Present your business ideas on managing risks to professionals
    • Hear insurance, analysts, and actuaries explain what they do
    • Talk to professionals about career and job opportunities in analytics
    • Learn more about the Department of Mathematics
    • Learn more about the Actuarial Science Program
    • Learn more about the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management (The MHSSA program is run in conjunction with the Katie School Redbird Risk Management program for 2023)

  • Scholarships

    Special scholarship opportunities available in Illinois State University’s Actuarial Program and Risk Management and Insurance Program.

    The Midwest High School Scholars Analytics Academy for Underrepresented Groups provides, at no cost, on campus room and board, field trips, and career information materials for selected students to attend the program for the week.

    Each student also receives a $100 stipend to cover transportation and incidental expenses.

  • Application Procedures

    Enrollment is limited to 25 students. Completed applications, including a letter of recommendation from the student’s mathematics, business, or computer science teacher or principal and a grade transcript, must be submitted, to be considered for a scholarship to the program.

    Preference will be given to students who excel in mathematics, enjoy being intellectually challenged, and receive a lot of satisfaction out of applying their analytical skills to solve problems. Please apply by May 31, 2023

    Apply for MHSSAA

For more information, email us or contact us at (309) 438-7797

Redbird Risk Management Challenge

Illinois State University invites the best that the Midwest has to offer to compete in a weeklong risk management challenge held at the Katie School of Insurance on the ISU campus from July 9th through  July 14, 2023.

You and your teammates assume the roles of senior risk management professionals and are asked to guide your corporation through a minefield of potential disasters. Losses may occur without notice and may cripple your corporation’s ability to carry on operations. The only alternative to bankruptcy is for your team to correctly assess the impact of these perils and implement superior risk management strategies that ensure success. Student teams compete against one another in developing the best risk management strategies. The winning team is determined by which corporation generates the most profit by the end of the week. The experience is challenging and will require all competitors to perform at the top of their game.

Teams must think creatively and stay resourceful to win.

We have fun too! In the evenings there are structured social activities such as bowling, mini-golf, and other competitive activities designed to build camaraderie and help earn additional revenue for your “companies”. Students stay in a dorm on the Illinois State University campus while in the program, allowing them to experience what it is like to live on a college campus. Special student guides and programming are arranged for students during the evening.

Apply for Redbird Risk Management Challenge

We are seeking students who:

  • Are entering their senior year in high school.
  • Plan to attend college after graduation.
  • Presently have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0scale)
  • ACT Scores and Letters of Recommendations are viewed favorably but NOT required.

Selection will be based on GPA, extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles held by the applicant. Please complete the application by May 31, 2023.  A letter of recommendation from a business/consumer science teacher is viewed favorably. This recommendation confirms the student’s activities and interests in business.

  • Schedule

    Students participate in Games within the Game. Each activity provides clues on how to better manage the risk of your company. The program culminates with a Shark Tank like presentation to a group of risk management professionals.

  • Parent-Student Orientation

    We will host an orientation for parents and students to understand the resources available at Illinois State University with a welcome lunch and orientation on Sunday - July 9, 2023.  This will end on July 14, 2023.

  • What Does This Cost?

    This program is FREE. It is funded through a generous donation from State Farm Insurance Companies Foundation and the Spencer Education Foundation. While on campus for the competition, the costs of tuition, room, and meals are covered.