The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Foundation recently announced the recipients of its prestigious Paul S. Mills Scholarship, and we are proud to celebrate that one of this year's award recipients calls Minnesota home.

Congratulations to Luckson Chigarire, a junior at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, on being selected as a 2026 Paul S. Mills Scholarship recipient.

The Paul S. Mills Scholarship program supports students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing careers in the financial services profession. Established through the NAIFA Foundation, the scholarship honors the legacy of Paul S. Mills by investing in the next generation of financial professionals and helping them achieve their educational and career goals.

Learn more about the scholarship program here: Paul S. Mills Scholarship Program.

Luckson is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Finance with a concentration in Actuarial Science. His academic accomplishments already distinguish him among future actuarial professionals. He has successfully passed the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Exams P, FM, SRM, and FAM, as well as completing all examinations required for the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation—an impressive achievement while still an undergraduate student.

This summer, Luckson is serving as a Pricing Oversight Actuarial Intern at New York Life Insurance Company, where he supports assumption governance and experience studies across the company's insurance products. Previously, he completed an actuarial internship with Corebridge Financial, contributing to pension risk transfer pricing, and participated in the highly regarded Oliver Wyman Actuarial Bootcamp.

Beyond the classroom and workplace, Luckson has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to leadership and service. He founded and serves as president of the CSS Actuarial Society, mentors aspiring actuaries through the International Association of Black Actuaries' exam preparation program, and works as both a Teaching Assistant and Peer Tutor in the Mathematics Department at St. Scholastica.

Reflecting on the scholarship, Luckson shared that he is honored to be selected as a Paul S. Mills Scholarship recipient and grateful for NAIFA's support as he continues toward a career in actuarial science.

NAIFA-Minnesota is proud to recognize Luckson's achievements and celebrate his dedication to academic excellence, professional development, and service to others. His accomplishments exemplify the bright future of the financial services profession, and we look forward to seeing the impact he will make as an actuary.

Congratulations, Luckson, on this well-deserved honor. We wish you continued success as you pursue your professional goals and represent Minnesota with distinction.