Overview

Roger Swartzwelder is a Shareholder in the Firm’s Education Practice Group. He represents institutions of higher education in a wide array of regulatory, accreditation, and operational issues.

Prior to joining the Firm, Roger served nearly 14 years as general counsel and chief compliance officer for a multi-state system of colleges. Prior to that, he was in private practice at Dow Lohnes in Washington specializing in higher education matters. Roger also worked at a nationally recognized accrediting agency for more than 13 years, eight of which he served as both the Associate Executive Director and Associate Executive Director/In-House Counsel.

Roger received his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from George Washington University and his Bachelor of Arts in History from Dickinson College.

Community & Professional

  • Member, Board of Directors, Arcadia Beverage, LLC, Arden, N.C., June 2017 – February 2019
  • Member, Board of Trustees, New England College of Business and Finance, Boston, Mass., June 2012 – December 2018
  • Commissioner, Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, 2007 – 2012, 2015 – 2018
  • Member, Annual Conference Planning Committee, National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (2010 – 2011)
  • Member, Nominating Committee, Career College Association (2009)
  • Private School Licensure Advisory Board, Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education (2008)
  • Chairman, Board of Directors, Region IV Private Career Colleges and Schools (2006 – 2008)
  • Board of Directors, Alabama Association of Private Colleges and Schools (2005 – 2018)
  • Doctoral Program Task Force, Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (2003)
  • Recognition Task Force, Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (2002 – 2003)

Media

Speaking Engagements

  • “Accreditation: In the Glare of the Spotlight,” Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, Sacramento, Calif. (April 2023)
  • “Complying with New Federal Regulatory Requirements,” Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, Renton, Wash. (May 2023)
  • “Key 90/10 Changes, Pitfalls and Strategies,” Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, Webinar (March 2023)
  • “Accreditor Perspectives – Into the Fire,” Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, La Jolla, CA (October 2022)
  • “Campus Cybersecurity and Data Privacy,” Career Schools Private Education Network, Nashville, TN (August 2022)
  • "Title IX – What You Need to Know,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, Orlando, FL (August 2022)
  • “Negotiated Rulemaking Update,” Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, Pittsburgh, PA (July 2022)
  • “FTC’s Initiative on Institutional Market Practices – What You Need to Know,” Career Education Colleges and Universities, Las Vegas, NV (June 2022)
  • “Accreditation Perspectives,” Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, Sacramento, CA (April 2022)
  • “Cybersecurity and Data Privacy – The Path Forward,” Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, New Orleans, LA (March 2022)
  • “Title IX Framework: What You Need to Know,” Distance Education Accrediting Commission, Denver, CO (October 2021)
  • “Accreditor Perspectives: Where Are We Going?” Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, La Jolla, CA (October 2021)
  • “Current Legal Issues – Where We Are and Where We Are Headed,” Career Schools Private Education Network, Chicago, IL (August 2021)
  • “Cybersecurity and Data Protection Issues,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, Aventura, FL (August 2021)
  • “Current Legal Issues – Where We Are and Where We Are Headed,” Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, Lancaster, Pa. (July 2021)
  • “Current Legal Issues – Where We Are and Where We Are Headed,” Career Education Colleges and Universities Annual Conference, Grapevine, TX (June 2021)
  • “Institutional HEERF Grant Usage and Reporting,” Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators, Webinar (October 2020)
  • “General Legal Updates for Career Schools,” Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators Annual Conference, Nemacolin, PA (August 2020)
  • “Key Regulatory Changes Effective July 1,” Career Schools Private Education Network, Webinar (June 2020)
  • “Federal Regulatory Update and Review,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA (October 2019)
  • “Arbitration and Class Action Waivers: What’s All the Fuss About,” Career Schools Private Education Network Annual Conference, Chicago, IL (August 2019)
  • “The Future of Accreditation (and Why Your Institution Should Care),” Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV (June 2012)
  • “Regulatory and Compliance Update,” Louisiana Association of Private Schools and Colleges Executive Committee, New Orleans, LA (January 2012)
  • Oral Testimony, Public Hearings on Proposed Gainful Employment Regulations, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. (November 2010)
  • “Financial Stability – What Can Regulators Do When the Numbers Don’t Add Up?” National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools, Charleston, SC (April 2009)
  • “Update on Accreditation Issues,” Career College Association Spring Senior Executive Management Seminar, Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island (March 2007)
  • “Entering the Ether: State and Accreditation Expectations for Online Education,” Career College Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV (June 2006)
  • “Herding Cats – The Regulation of Marketing and Delivery of Online Programs,” Career College Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV (June 2005)
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region VII Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Kansas City, MO (January 2005)
  • “Incentive Compensation and Other Title IV Issues,” Coalition of New York State Career Schools Annual Conference, Uncasville, CT (November 2004)
  • “The Changing Climate of Today’s School Market,” Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (October 2004)
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Florida Association of Private Colleges and Schools Annual Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (July 2004)
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Bloomingdale, IL (June 2004)
  • Panel Discussion Regarding Issues Facing Corporations that Operate Across State Lines and in Multiple Jurisdictions, National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS), Orlando, FL (April 2004)
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Regions II/III Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 2004)
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region VII Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Kansas City, MO (January 2004)
  • “The Changing Face of Accreditation,” The 2003 Education Industry Finance & Investment Summit, Washington, D.C. (December 2003)
  • “Accreditation and Compliance: An Overview,” Coalition of New York State Career Schools Annual Conference, West Point, NY (November 2003)
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference, San Diego, CA (November 2003)
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference, San Diego, CA (November 2003)
  • “How to Make Accreditation Decisions without Landing in Court,” Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors, Scottsdale, AZ (September 2003)
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges Annual Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (July 2003)
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” Washington Federal of Private Career Schools and Colleges Annual Conference, Tacoma, WA (June 2003)
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Washington Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges Annual Conference, Tacoma, WA (June 2003)
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Bloomingdale, IL (May 2003)
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges Winter Mini-Conference, Orlando, FL (January 2003)
  • “Surveying the Accreditation Landscape,” Coalition of New York State Career Schools Annual Conference, West Point, NY (November 2002)
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA (October 2002)
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Career Colleges and Schools of Texas Annual Conference, El Paso, TX (October 2002)
  • Commencement Address, University of Advancing Computer Technology, Tempe, AZ (April 2002)

Admissions

  • State Bar: Virginia (Associate Status), Washington, D.C.
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