For Ama Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu, M.S. ’18, and Isaac Owusu, M.S. ’18, Illinois State University was a place to earn a master’s degree in actuarial science, become an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA), and fall in love.
Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu and Owusu are both from Ghana but didn’t meet until they started actuarial science classes together at Illinois State. The actuarial science program prepares undergraduate and graduate students to use their mathematical skills to calculate risk.
In their classes, Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu and Owusu got to know each other and began spending time doing homework and studying for exams together. After a while, the pair transitioned from “just friends” to dating. And, the study dates paid off.
While earning their master’s degrees, both Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu and Owusu simultaneously became Associates of the Society of Actuaries, which involves completing a series of rigorous exams, modules, and certifications.
“Having somebody who knows and appreciates the actuarial process makes it easier,” said Owusu.
Upon graduating with master’s degrees and as ASAs, Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu and Owusu took different paths toward each becoming a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) while starting full-time jobs.
Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu took the investment track and worked with Prudential Financial in New Jersey before moving to Pennsylvania to work at an investment company called Venerable. Now, Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu is pursuing her Ph.D. in statistics at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Owusu took the health care track and started with Cigna in Connecticut and now works at their Philadelphia office.
While beginning their careers, Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu and Owusu continued to take exams and earn certifications to become FSAs.
“Once I started the actuarial journey, that was definitely the goal,” said Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu. “I felt like I had the capacity to try and finish and become a fellow.”
“That’s the ultimate goal,” said Owusu. “That was always my goal to get my fellowship.”
While advancing in their careers and completing FSA exams, Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu and Owusu also took their relationship to the next level.
The two married on September 17, 2021. Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu had finished all of her exams, and Owusu still had one remaining, which he completed one month after the wedding. Following a long and challenging journey, the newlywed couple had completed their FSA certification requirements.
On June 15, 2022, the couple attended the same FSA ceremony and officially became fellows together.
“I was lucky to have someone to go with me through that process and encourage me,” said Owusu. “Ultimately, we were able to get our fellowship at the same graduation ceremony. We were the only married couple there which was a fun fact to strike a conversation with folks and say, ‘By the way, I’m here with my wife; not as a guest to this graduation, but she’s also an FSA.’ It was the highlight of my year.”
Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu graduated from graduate school with a 4.0, became an ASA, and earned her FSA, but she said, “Being able to have the same person throughout all of it, through the struggles, may be my biggest achievement. All the other goals and accomplishments I mentioned, in the end, they all really don’t matter because at the end of the day, Isaac is the one who is still here.”
In the future, Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu plans to become a professor to share her knowledge and passion for actuarial science with others. “I want to be like (Professor and Actuarial Program Director) Dr. Krzysztof (Ostaszewski) because he was the best program director anyone could have asked for,” she said. “My goal is to just be like him.”
Owusu said earning his master’s degree in actuarial science at Illinois State streamlined the ASA and FSA exam process. Plus, he met his wife.
“If I hadn’t attended ISU, I wouldn’t have met all these people who influenced my journey and my life right now,” said Ampadu-Kissi-Owusu. “I met so many people and feel each and every one of them contributed to why I am where I am today.”
