Purdue names Dan Rubin director of nationally ranked Actuarial Science Program
06-08-2026
Purdue University has named Dan Rubin as the next director of its Actuarial Science Program, effective this summer. Rubin succeeds Jianxi Su, who is leaving Purdue to pursue a leadership opportunity at another institution.
Jointly administered by Purdue's Departments of Mathematics and Statistics, the Actuarial Science Program is consistently recognized among the nation's best and is designated as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries.
Rubin brings a unique combination of industry expertise, alumni perspective and long-standing service to Purdue. A Purdue graduate and former president of the Purdue Actuarial Club, he has spent nearly four decades connected to the program and its students.
"We are very pleased that Dan Rubin will be the next director of the highly ranked Actuarial Science Program," said Irena Swanson, head of the Department of Mathematics. "He has served the program well as associate director and brings to the position valuable experience from both the actuarial industry and the classroom."
Xiao Wang, head of the Department of Statistics, said Rubin's experience and commitment to students make him well positioned to lead the program's next chapter.
"Dan understands what makes Purdue's actuarial program exceptional because he has experienced it from nearly every perspective- as a student, industry leader, advisor, faculty member and associate director," Wang said. "His vision for the future builds on a strong foundation while preparing students to address the evolving risks and challenges facing society."
Rubin earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science from Purdue in 1988. After graduation, he spent 30 years at Nationwide Insurance, where he held a variety of leadership roles related to the pricing and modeling of annuity products. During his career, he managed the quarterly valuation of statutory, tax and GAAP reserves across multiple annuity business lines representing more than $50 billion in assets under management.
His connection to Purdue remained strong throughout his industry career. Rubin served on the program's Industry Advisory Council from 1999 to 2018 before joining the Purdue faculty as a lecturer. Since then, he has taught courses, launched the program's actuarial science capstone course, become faculty advisor to the Purdue Actuarial Club and served as associate director since 2023.
Rubin said he is honored to lead a program that has played such a significant role in his own career.
"My service to Purdue's actuarial program goes back almost to the very beginning," Rubin said. "There are many great things about our program, but perhaps its greatest strength is our students. They understand the opportunity for academic, professional and personal growth that Purdue and our faculty offer, and they are willing to put in the work to be successful. Working with our students is incredibly rewarding, and I am honored to continue serving them and Purdue as director of the Actuarial Science Program."
As director, Rubin's immediate priorities include leading the program through its Center of Actuarial Excellence recertification process while continuing to strengthen Purdue's position as a national leader in actuarial education.
"Actuaries study the financial implications of future events and risk," Rubin said. "As the world changes, the nature of the risks we face is changing as well. My hope is for Purdue to be the premier institution for developing emerging methods to measure and manage risk while continuing to produce the next generation of actuarial professionals."
Rubin said Purdue's continued success is rooted in the program's collaborative faculty, strong industry partnerships and talented students.
"I am very proud that Purdue's actuarial program has grown into one of the top programs in the country," he said. "We have an opportunity to build on that momentum and continue preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing profession."
About the Mathematics Department at Purdue University
The Department of Mathematics is one of seven departments making up Purdue's College of Science. The Department has an international reputation as an outstanding center for mathematical research and education. Over 70 professors are actively involved in research in many areas of mathematics, including visiting scholars and through a vibrant graduate program. The Department offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department is located in the Math Building at 150 N. University Street in West Lafayette, Indiana. Learn more at math.purdue.edu.
Written by: Alisha Willett, Communications Specialist, amwillet@purdue.edu
Contributors: Dan Rubin, rubin6@purdue.edu