Julie

Julie Woodruff advises colleges, universities, vocational institutions, and other postsecondary providers on the complex regulatory landscape governing institutional operations, accreditation, and state and federal compliance.

Julie previously served as Senior Compliance Counsel for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), where she provided strategic legal guidance on federal and state policy matters involving institutional and programmatic accreditation, traditional and reciprocal state authorization, and federal student aid eligibility. In this role, she oversaw Tennessee’s participation as a State Portal Entity in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), managing institutional membership and serving as the primary liaison to organizations including NC‑SARA, the U.S. Department of Education, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), programmatic and institutional accreditors, and the National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS).

Julie has extensive experience drafting and revising statutes, rules, and regulatory frameworks affecting degree and non‑degree granting postsecondary institutions. Her work includes evaluating institutional changes of ownership, such as mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing school closures for both regulated and SARA‑participating institutions.

Prior to her senior counsel role, Julie served as the Assistant Executive Director and Lead Attorney at THEC, where she helped shape statewide oversight of postsecondary education and led key regulatory initiatives supporting institutional accountability and student protections.

At Thompson Coburn, Julie brings a depth of state‑level regulatory experience and a practical understanding of institutional operations, helping higher education clients navigate authorization, accreditation, financial aid, and compliance challenges in an evolving legal environment.

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.