Roger Swartzwelder represents institutions of higher education in a wide array of regulatory, accreditation, and operational issues. In addition to substantive experience representing clients from public, private non-profit, and proprietary institutions, he also represents third-party servicers and investors in a range of transactions focusing on higher education.

Roger previously served nearly 14 years as general counsel and chief compliance officer for a multi-state system of colleges. He also worked at a nationally recognized accrediting agency for more than 13 years, eight of which he served as the associate executive director and associate executive director/in-house counsel. He is well-known across the country as a presenter on developments related to higher education accreditation, federal regulations, data privacy, and numerous other legal issues.

  • The George Washington University, J.D.
  • The George Washington University, M.B.A.
  • Dickinson College, B.A.

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia

  • Career Education Colleges and Universities, Regulatory Committee, October 2024 – present
  • Cascade Education, LLC, Portland, Ore., Advisory Board, December 2021 – present
  • Arcadia Beverage, LLC Board of Directors, Arden, N.C., 2017-2019
  • New England College of Business and Finance Board of Trustees, 2012-2018
  • Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, Commissioner, 2007 – 2012, 2015 – 2018; Chairman, Board of Directors, 2012; Member, Executive Committee, 2009 – 2012, 2016 – 2018; Member, Audit Committee, 2008 – 2010 (Chairman, 2008, 2010); Chairman, Financial Review Committee, 2008 – 2011; Member, Executive Director Search Committee, 2008
  • Annual Conference Planning Committee, National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools, 2010-2011
  • Nominating Committee, Career College Association, 2009
  • Private School Licensure Advisory Board, Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, 2008

  • Where Goes Accreditation Under Trump 2.0?”
    Panel Discussion, CAPPS Legislative Policy Conference, April 2025
  • “An Update on TCPA and Other FCC and FTC Telemarketing Requirements,” Career Schools Private Education Network, October 2024
  • “An Update on TCPA and Other FCC and FTC Telemarketing Requirements,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, October 2024
  • “New Financial Responsibility, Administrative Capability and Certification Rules,” Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, July 2024
  • “An Update on Telemarking Laws and Agency Rules,” Career Education Colleges and Universities, June 2024
  • “Past, Present, and Future of NACIQI,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, April 2024
  • “Personal and Owner Entity Liability – An Overview,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, October 2023
  • “Pending Regulations and Upcoming 2023-24 Federal Negotiated Rulemaking,” Career Schools Private Education Network, August 2023
  • “Borrower Defense Regulations – Peeling the Onion,” Career Schools Private Education Network, August 2023
  • “Florida Telephone Solicitation Act, TCPA, BDR and Recruiting Activities,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, August 2023
  • “Complying with New Federal Regulatory Requirements,” Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, July 2023
  • “Personal and Owner Entity Liability – What You Need to Know,” Career Education Colleges and Universities, June 2023
  • “90/10 Key Changes: Where We Are Today,” Career Education Colleges and Universities, June 2023
  • “Gainful Employment, Financial Responsibility, Administrative Capability and Certification Proposed Rules,” Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, Webinar, June 2023
  • “Complying with New Federal Regulatory Requirements”
    Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, May 2023
  • “Learn and Adapt: Complying with New Federal Regulatory Requirements,” Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, May 2023
  • “Accreditation: In the Glare of the Spotlight” Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, April 2023
  • “Key 90/10 Changes, Pitfalls and Strategies”
    Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, March 2023
  • “Accreditor Perspectives – Into the Fire”
    Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, October 2022
  • “Campus Cybersecurity and Data Privacy”
    Career Schools Private Education Network, August 2022
  • “Title IX – What You Need to Know”
    Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, August 2022
  • “Negotiated Rulemaking Update”
    Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, July 2022
  • “FTC’s Initiative on Institutional Market Practices – What You Need to Know”
    Career Education Colleges and Universities, June 2022
  • “Accreditation Perspectives”
    Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, April 2022
  • “Cybersecurity and Data Privacy – The Path Forward”
    Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, March 2022
  • “Title IX Framework: What You Need to Know”
    Distance Education Accrediting Commission, October 2021
  • “Accreditor Perspectives: Where Are We Going?”
    Panel Discussion, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, October 2021
  • “Current Legal Issues – Where We Are and Where We Are Headed”
    Career Schools Private Education Network, August 2021
  • “Cybersecurity and Data Protection Issues”
    Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, August 2021
  • “Current Legal Issues – Where We Are and Where We Are Headed”
    Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, July 2021
  • “Current Legal Issues – Where We Are and Where We Are Headed”
    Career Education Colleges and Universities Annual Conference, 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, 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, October 2019
  • “Arbitration and Class Action Waivers: What’s All the Fuss About”
    Career Schools Private Education Network Annual Conference, August 2019
  • “The Future of Accreditation (and Why Your Institution Should Care),” Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities Annual Conference, June 2012
  • “Regulatory and Compliance Update,” Louisiana Association of Private Schools and Colleges Executive Committee, January 2012
  • Oral Testimony, Public Hearings on Proposed Gainful Employment Regulations, U.S. Department of Education, 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, April 2009
  • “Update on Accreditation Issues,” Career College Association Spring Senior Executive Management Seminar, March 2007
  • “Entering the Ether: State and Accreditation Expectations for Online Education,” Career College Association Annual Conference, June 2006
  • “Herding Cats – The Regulation of Marketing and Delivery of Online Programs,” Career College Association Annual Conference, June 2005
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region VII Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, January 2005
  • “Incentive Compensation and Other Title IV Issues,” Coalition of New York State Career Schools Annual Conference, November 2004
  • “The Changing Climate of Today’s School Market,” Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Annual Conference, October 2004
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Florida Association of Private Colleges and Schools Annual Conference, July 2004
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, 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), April 2004
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Regions II/III Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, April 2004
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region VII Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, January 2004
  • “The Changing Face of Accreditation,” The 2003 Education Industry Finance & Investment Summit, December 2003
  • “Accreditation and Compliance: An Overview,” Coalition of New York State Career Schools Annual Conference, November 2003
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference, November 2003
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference, November 2003
  • “How to Make Accreditation Decisions without Landing in Court,” Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors, September 2003
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges Annual Conference, July 2003
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” Washington Federal of Private Career Schools and Colleges Annual Conference, June 2003
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Washington Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges Annual Conference, June 2003
  • “Common Title IV Compliance Issues,” Region V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, May 2003
  • “Becoming a Title IV School,” Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges Winter Mini-Conference, January 2003
  • “Surveying the Accreditation Landscape,” Coalition of New York State Career Schools Annual Conference, November 2002
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Annual Conference, October 2002
  • “Creating a Culture of Compliance,” Career Colleges and Schools of Texas Annual Conference, October 2002
  • Commencement Address, University of Advancing Computer Technology, April 2002

I enjoy traveling, listening to music, and reading.