Thompson Coburn is pleased to announce that Julie Woodruff has joined the firm as counsel in the Higher Education practice. Julie advises colleges, universities, vocational institutions, and other postsecondary providers on accreditation, state and federal compliance, and the regulatory requirements governing institutional operations.
Julie brings extensive experience from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), where she served as Senior Compliance Counsel. At THEC, she guided policy matters involving institutional and programmatic accreditation, state authorization, and federal student aid eligibility. She also oversaw Tennessee’s role as a State Portal Entity for SARA, managing institutional participation and working closely with NC‑SARA, the U.S. Department of Education, SREB, accreditors, and NASASPS.
Her background includes drafting and revising statutes and regulatory frameworks, evaluating institutional ownership changes such as mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing school closures for both regulated and SARA‑participating institutions.
Julie works remotely and is licensed in Tennessee, practicing in the Nashville area. Contact Julie via email or telephone for in person/virtual meetings. Use Thompson Coburn’s St. Louis office address for mail or deliveries.
