OUR TEAM

What I do here: I am the President of Student Connections and have led the efforts to build our world-class reporting and data warehouse environment.

My experience: My more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry includes serving as Director of Reporting for Fidelity Investments, where my team created a data warehouse and reporting environment that promoted a fact-based decision support platform, resulting in increased efficiencies, cost savings and higher customer satisfaction for Fidelity’s Operations and Services Group.

Education: MBA, Boston University

What I do here: In my role as Chief Technology Officer at Loan Science, I apply my abilities in leading technology operations and initiatives across large-scale, complex organizations.

My experience: I have spent the majority of my more than 20-year financial services career in student and consumer lending, so I bring a wealth of experience to our industry. I have also held technical management positions in both national and international markets at EZCorp, EDS, Toshiba Medical Systems and Siemens. As a child, I actually learned how to read by absorbing the pages of the ZX81 Programming Manual.

What I do here: My team and I work with existing and potential new clients to help them understand how our approach will help more of their former student successfully repay their student loans.

My experience: I am one of the co-founders of the company and just celebrated my 11th year. Prior to my work here, I worked banks and student loan lenders primarily running their school-focused sales teams. I am a student loan person to the core.

I enjoy: Being a fan of my kids as they do their respective things, playing golf, skiing, family time and screaming at the TV during Pittsburgh Steeler games.

Why I work in higher education: Education is a key to success. I love the idea of helping people when they are just getting started in their adult lives or making a change for the better.

Education: I am a proud graduate of the University of Delaware and a product of 12 years of Catholic schooling before that.

What I do here: In my current role, I am responsible for areas that include leading Student Connections’ overall human resources strategy, talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, employee education and development, compensation and benefits.

My experience: I have over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry—most recently as Human Resources Manager helping to build and manage an HR organization that reflects our dynamic needs and helps employees achieve their goals and results.

I enjoy: Traveling and volunteering for CASA in Travis County.

What I do here: My role with Student Connections is primarily two-fold. I am a Business Development Manager, responsible for uncovering and onboarding high student loan default rate schools who would gain immediate and long-term benefits from our Student Connections innovative default prevention service offerings, life skills financial literacy guidance and ”Best in Class” student borrower outreach counseling. My other role is that of Account Manager. In that capacity I work 1:1 with school clients to resolve any questions/concerns that are related to our partnership. In addition, I monitor, analyze and share client cohort default rate (CDR) trends each month or as the client requests.

My experience: I bring over 30 years of higher education experience in the student lending industry working in sales and sales management positions. These positions include various banks, a credit union service organization and a higher education software firm. I focus my commitment to client support and a dedication to solving both routine and difficult challenges. I have a wide range of student lending industry experience with local and state committee leadership. On the national scene, I am a former NASFAA conference speaker, EASFAA board member and have received many awards and recognitions (including EASFAA’s “Leadership Award”) for higher education contributions, volunteerism and commitment to various financial aid and community organizations.

I enjoy: Volunteer-related activities that benefit my church and community…English Premier soccer…and, of course any family fun!

Why I work in higher education: I guess I was “born to serve”. I enjoy the challenge of serving the school’s student lending needs, offering service-related technology, default prevention strategies and all-around life skills that benefit students well beyond their school experience!

Education: B.S. in Business Administration, University of Baltimore; various certificates from the American Institute of Banking (AIB)

What I do here: I’m involved in product design for our default prevention and financial literacy platforms, as well as engaging with users of our products to ensure we’re meeting their needs. I also develop content for training, internally and externally, and produce marketing content.

My experience: I’ve always worked in very customer-focused jobs. I also spent my college years learning about design and creative problem-solving, both hand-based design and technology-based.  

I enjoy: Design in all its forms (interior, architectural, landscape, etc.), traveling, spending time with nature, music, dancing, learning languages, food with friends and family and a great piece of literature.

Why I work in higher education: Sometimes life happens, and if you don’t have the right support or resources, especially in college, you have to stop what you’re doing and regroup. While earning my college degree, I got stuck in a “work to survive” cycle, unable to get back to my education. Luckily, with the help of people who were able to connect me with the right resources, I was able to go back and finish my degree. I want to be that person that makes a difference for someone else.

Education: B.A., Ball State University

What I do here:  I provide support, training and technical assistance to our customers, working closely with the Account Executives. 

My experience:  I’ve been in the higher education industry for more than 30 years, including working in Financial Aid at Oregon State University and Washington State University.

I enjoy:  Yoga, summertime in Spokane, Italian food and time with my friends, family and dogs

Why I work in higher education:  My college experience was life changing, and I knew then that I wanted to find a role to help others pursue their dreams through higher education.

Education:  B.S. in Applied Psychology, Eastern Washington University; M.Ed. in College Student Services Administration, Oregon State University

What I do here: I have the pleasure of serving our customers through data analysis, tracking and monitoring outreach strategies, and providing transparency through our performance reporting. I work alongside amazing individuals, here and at the schools we serve, who are focused on driving long-term solutions that create positive outcomes for students and borrowers.

My experience: I have more than 15 years in the student loan and default prevention industry, with a primary focus on data analytics and reporting at a variety of levels.

I enjoy: Being involved with my children and encouraging them to dream big! I also enjoy water sports, camping, cycling and spending time with friends and family.

Why I work in higher education: I truly believe we have an opportunity to change peoples’ lives through education, opening doors that may otherwise stay closed. I have experienced, first hand, how completing a degree program increases confidence, provides new career pathways, and impacts future generations in a positive way.

Education: B.S. in Business Management, Indiana Wesleyan University

What I do here:  Manage the development and overall strategic vision for Student Connections’ products and services designed to help students successfully navigate postsecondary education and manage student loan debt.

My experience:  I’ve worked for more than 15 years supporting products and services that provide financial education and support campus-based default prevention efforts.

I enjoy:  Being out in nature and bird watching with my husband, traveling to new places, and binge watching cartoons.

Why I work in higher education:  When I was in college, I was the kid who did everything wrong financially. I took out loans regardless of whether I needed them; I changed my major three times; I spent what little money I had unwisely; and I maxed out multiple credit cards when I couldn’t afford the payment, completely wrecking my credit. That’s what makes coming to work exciting to me — the fact that I’m working on tools that will mean fewer students go through what I went through.

Education:  B.A. in Journalism, Ball State University

What I do here: My title is vice president of strategic accounts; what I do here is quite different. It is my belief that every choice and decision I make everyday should lead to the furthering of a culture of support and learning. If we learn something every day, and learn it in the right atmosphere, we will develop relationships and sales that exceed our expectations.

My experience:  Before joining the Student Connections team, I was vice president of sales and marketing for a federal loan servicer and default prevention service provider based in Knoxville, TN for 12 years. Prior to that, I managed the sales and marketing teams for the Tennessee Titans Radio Network and served as director of marketing for 17 southeast based radio stations. My first job out of college was with SIMON Property Group, the nation’s largest retail developer, where I managed multiple shopping malls and served as the director of grand opening events.

I enjoy: Time with my family, golf, running and traveling. I am happiest when I’m outdoors!

Why I work in higher education: I moved from the NFL to higher education for the opportunity to change lives, individually and generationally. Education can never be taken away, and a degree changes the student’s life as well as the lives of family and friends. Helping students be more successful after school is as important as helping them while in school.

Education: B.S. in Marketing, Indiana University

What I do here:  I support customers with setup and training.  I also meet monthly with customers and ensure support documentation is delivered to help them with their default prevention and student success efforts.

My experience:  I started working in the student loan industry at Sallie Mae in November 1988.

I enjoy:  Boating, dogs and family time.  I serve on the board for Lawrence Meals on Wheels and the Lawrence SERTOMA club.

Why I work in higher education:  It’s what I’ve been doing for nearly 30 years.  Serving customers is what I do best.

Education:  A.A. in Business, Baker University

What I do here: As the Account Executive, I get to know potential customers’ pain points and needs. I work with them to discover what solution is a best fit for their institution.

My experience: Former Student Financial Aid Administrator. 

I enjoy: Cooking, singing and spending time with my family.

Why I work in higher education: I desire to assist individuals to reach their educational dreams while avoiding some of the pitfalls I experienced in my pursuit of higher education. I feel the best way to do this is to be a hands-on expert advocate to help guide them through the process.

Education: MPA- Non-Profit Development, BM- Vocal Music Performance