Abigaile Becker, a 19-year-old Slippery Rock University student graduating in May, has won the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s top academic award.
The PASSHE Board of Governors on Thursday will honor Becker with the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence, and award her $2,500. Named after founding Board of Governors member Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, the award is presented annually to one graduating senior from a state system university who demonstrates academic achievement and leadership.
Becker, of North Warren, is the second Slippery Rock student, and the first since 2014, to win the award, which was established in 2001.
She arrived at Slippery Rock in 2024 having already earned an associate degree at a community college through dual enrollment at her high school. With college credits applied, she was able to graduate from Slippery Rock in two years.
“I’m very much an overachiever. I like having all of my ducks in a row, and I used to struggle with not being perfect,” Becker said. “As I’ve gone through college, I’ve really grown to accept that you have to accept the challenges.”
She is a mathematics major with minors in statistics and business administration.
Upon graduation, she will work as an actuary analyst at Erie Insurance. At the same time, she will be taking online courses for a master’s in actuarial science through Boston University.
“My parents call me a unicorn,” Becker joked. “No one likes math, and women are underrepresented in STEM. Entering the corporate world at 19 is insane. I’m so lucky to have this opportunity.
“I might be the youngest person at the table, but I’m still at the table.”
In May 2024, Becker graduated with an associate degree in mathematics from Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, N.Y. She graduated from Panama Central High School in Panama, N.Y., a month later. Her father is an English teacher at Panama Central.
“I’m very lucky to be surrounded by people when, I approach them with something daunting, the first thing they say is, ‘How can I help you?’ ” Becker said. “It’s wonderful to be able to do this. While it’s a long time coming, it’s still surreal.”
Becker said she knew she wanted to pursue a career in mathematics from observing a presentation on the topic when she was a high school freshman.
“I was really intrigued and started taking classes online,” she said.
Slippery Rock “met halfway” with financial aid support and accepting a majority of community college credits earned, Becker said.
“Slippery Rock has the coursework to help with actuarial exams,” she said. “Being familiar with the coursework before taking those intense exams is beneficial.”
Actuarial exams typically require hundreds of hours of preparation and serve as credentials to enter the profession. Becker passed two Society of Actuaries exams, on probability and financial mathematics, within six months.
On campus, Becker is secretary of Gamma Iota Sigma, an actuarial fraternity, and is parliamentarian for the Statistics Club. She also is a math tutor.
Becker was among nine nominees for the award. The others from Western Pennsylvania schools were Marisol Gonzalez Flores from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Jordan Wiedman from Pennsylvania Western University.
“Abby’s achievements show the power and promise of a PASSHE university education,” said Cynthia Shapira, chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors. “The Ali-Zaidi award recognizes students who excel in the classroom and contribute to their communities, and Abby exemplifies both. Graduating at 19 while completing rigorous coursework and industry exams is an extraordinary accomplishment.”