Peaking at the right time is always a winning strategy, and the expansion of Stephanie Clenney’s role in campus based servicing has come at the right time for our customers. Stephanie was hired three years ago as Credit Manager for private loans, but her role has continued to grow due to her exceptional work. She subsequently has been named Manager, Loan Operations. In this position, Stephanie supervises a team responsible for aspects of both private and campus based servicing, including forms processing, inbound borrower calls, outbound collection calls, and resolving credit disputes. She also shares responsibilities for private loan origination, disbursement, and servicing with the entire Loan Operations Management team.

Stephanie’s knowledge of Regulation Z is a big plus for customers now that the Federal Reserve Board has published final rules applicable to institutional loans. (In a related article in this month’s Update, we have provided information about new Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA) rules for institutional loans.) Stephanie has been responsible for compliance with Regulation Z for many years, first with Sallie Mae and now at Campus Partners. She is one of our company’s experts, and continues to be at the forefront in the process of providing fully compliant Truth-in-Lending disclosures to private loan borrowers. Her knowledge of Regulation Z will benefit campus-based customers who may have concerns about complying with TILA regulations by February 14, 2010. Stephanie, who is a consummate team player, is quick to point out that many other staff members including senior managers, IT personnel, and Sharon Cameron, Audit and Compliance Specialist, will be involved in providing the TILA solution for customers.

Stephanie is also involved in fraud detection during the loan process, which is one of our company’s most fascinating services. All approved private loan applicants are screened using fraud prevention tools available from Experian and/or LexisNexis, to ensure prospective applicants are who they represent themselves to be. If there are doubts concerning the applicant’s identity, further screening questions are employed to help establish the prospective borrower’s authenticity. These questions include inquiries based on information generated by our screening vendors that only the applicant is likely to know. A scoring system is employed to determine if the applicant could be an imposter. Questionable applicants are given an opportunity to provide further information, but can be turned down for loans if their identity cannot be confirmed.

Documentation and accuracy play a large role in loan servicing, and Stephanie’s attention to detail helps make sure that forms are processed accurately and that borrowers receive the correct information when they have questions. She truly leads by example and has high standards for herself and her staff.
Stephanie loves working with her close-knit “family” of coworkers. “The long-term employees at Campus Partners are always willing to help newer staff members and share information. Everyone here really cares about keeping customers happy and wants to resolve issues as quickly as possible,” Stephanie stated. “The Campus Partners staff rises to every occasion to get the job done and can handle anything,” she continued proudly.

Stephanie is also very appreciative of all the employees who have helped her. She particularly cites her manager, Jeff Gruwell, Vice President, Loan Operations, for his open door policy and his knowledge of loan servicing. She also acknowledges Debra Adams, Director, Loan Operations, who is a “tremendous help” because of knowledge of the servicing system; Theresa Ehren, Systems Engineer, who continues to be an asset with her extensive knowledge of the loan origination and disbursement systems; and Tammy Gupton, Business Analyst, for her help with credit bureau and system questions.

As noted above, Stephanie formerly worked for Sallie Mae for 13 years, and lived in Panama City, Florida at the time. When the opportunity arose to move to North Carolina and work for Campus Partners, Stephanie and her family jumped at the chance. The family often vacationed in the mountains and is now happy to be building a vacation home near Murphy, North Carolina.

The family includes her daughter who is a nurse currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing; her husband of 25 years, Eric, who is also a nurse; and Quack, an 11 year old Quacker parrot who tries to rule the roost. The human members of the family enjoy gardening, feeding the 15 plus hummingbirds that inhabit their back yard, trips to state parks, and traveling. Stephanie also likes to play Nintendo Wii games with her family, and is now a “pro bowler,” thanks to the game. Stephanie is originally from Pennsylvania and is a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. In addition Stephanie enjoys attending church and is a fan of contemporary Christian music.

When Stephanie moved to North Carolina, she did not have the opportunity to miss her family, because her mother and several other family members relocated to Winston-Salem to be near her. That in itself is a tribute to what a special person Stephanie is to her family. She is also calm, kind, and very supportive of her fellow employees and staff. Although Stephanie does not seek the spotlight, she deserves attention because she is such an exceptional person and employee.

Jeff Gruwell, Vice President, Loan Operations sums up Stephanie’s attributes very well. “Stephanie’s flexibility and experience continues to be a great asset to Campus Partners, and I feel privileged to have worked with her in various stages of our careers for over 12 years now.”