Dr. Huffman started Northwestern’s actuarial science program, has worked as a consultant for an insurance company, and developed ADAPT, test-preparation software that is used by the actuarial exam prep company Coaching Actuaries.
Experienced actuary
For 10 years, while also teaching at Northwestern, Dr. Huffman worked for Great West Casualty Company, a commercial truck insurance provider. Using predictive analytics, he created a tiered rating system for non-fleet trucking companies and helped Great West set up its business analytics department. That consulting role enables him to teach from personal experience when explaining to students how actuaries work with regulators, accountants and corporate legal teams.
Entrepreneur
Early in his teaching career, Dr. Huffman recognized the need to better prepare students for the actuarial exams required for licensure by the Society of Actuaries. In response, he developed ADAPT, an exam prep tool for those wanting to become actuaries. He then developed a similar online course with Northwestern biology professor Dr. Elizabeth Heeg that helps students prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Author and liaison
Dr. Huffman’s work has been published in the International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Science and Transactions of the American Mathematical Society. He also serves as an academic correspondent of the Casualty Actuarial Society, a role that helps him stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.
Community servant
Dr. Huffman spent 20 years as a volunteer firefighter for Orange City. Firefighting runs in his family. His parents were instrumental in starting a volunteer fire department in the mountains of Colorado, and his brother does search and rescue near Denver.
