Jaylon Herbin

Jaylon Herbin serves as the Director of Federal Campaigns at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), where he leads advocacy strategies to advance consumer protections in higher education and financial markets. Recognized as one of the nation’s top experts on student debt cancellation, his work focuses on student loan reform, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and broader economic mobility initiatives, while building coalitions with national partners to influence federal policy and legislative outcomes. He has also served as a federal negotiator for the U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking committee, bringing borrower voices directly into the policymaking process.
Jaylon earned his B.A. in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Wake Forest University, where he developed a strong commitment to advancing equity through systemic change. Prior to joining CRL, he served for four years as Congresswoman Alma Adams’ District Liaison, focusing on education from pre-K through higher education and HBCUs, financial services, healthcare, and community engagement—experiences that continue to shape his leadership and advocacy work today.
Outside of work, Jaylon enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and perfecting his skills as a self-proclaimed grill master. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a dedicated sneakerhead, and values building meaningful connections with friends, colleagues, and community.
Jaylon lives by the principle, “Leave every place better than you found it,” a reflection of his commitment to service, justice, and lasting impact.