HousingWireHousingWire
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s education division, MBA Education, recently launched its Mortgage Banking Bound (MBB) program at Cleveland State University.
The program, which is led by adjunct professor Debbie Hoffman — a visiting assistant professor at the Cleveland State University College of Law — offers a three-credit undergraduate course on residential mortgage origination and processing.
The course is available as an elective to juniors or seniors in the university’s Monte Ahuja College of Business. There are 17 students who are currently enrolled in the 2025 spring semester course that began on Jan. 15 and goes until the end of April, Hoffman told HousingWire.
“The MBA provides all the content,” Hoffman added. “Lectures are done by MBA members. Last week, our first class was led by Jen Peachman from GVC Mortgage. There are three exams during the course, and they also have self-study programs.”
An announcement from the MBA confirmed that the program’s content is derived from MBA Education’s School of Loan Origination course, as well as five web-based, self-study courses from MBA Education’s library.
Hoffman said that the idea to bring an MBA course to Cleveland State began in November 2023 after she heard about Laura Escobar’s Mortgage Banking Bound program at Barry University. Escobar, who is the 2025 MBA Chair and president of Lennar Mortgage, encouraged Hoffman to expand the program at Cleveland State where Hoffman was already teaching.
“I eventually found my way to the dean of the business school and basically pitched the program to her about what a great partnership this could be between the university, the MBA and mortgage companies. I wanted a way to integrate [students] with these companies to be able to learn about the field and be trained properly to have entry-level jobs,” Hoffman said.
“I am excited that MBA’s successful, Mortgage Banking Bound program is expanding to Cleveland State University, offering students a fully-accredited course that kick-starts the possibility of having a fulfilling career in real estate finance,” Escobar said in a statement.
“I send my deepest gratitude to Professor Debbie Hoffman and to the many MBA member companies that will commit their time, expertise, and financial commitments to support these interested students.”
The announcement also noted that select classes will be led by industry practitioners from MBA member companies, including Success Mortgage Partners, Rocket Mortgage and NFM Lending.
Hoffman added that speakers such as Allison Johnston, the president of Success Mortgage Partners, and Michele Kryczkowski, Citi’s head of retail lending operations, will make appearances as guest speakers.
“It’s a true collaborative effort,” Hoffman added. “The industry is getting the talent developments and potential new students to enter their workforce. And obviously, the MBA is kind of helping to make the whole thing happen.”
The MBB program is also available at Barry University and Middle Tennessee State University for a 100-hour executive certificate program, as well as Level I certificate programs, according to the MBA.
