Jay Vaughan joined the Education Practice Group at Dow Lohnes in Washington, D.C. in 2002 specializing in higher education matters. Mr. Vaughan assists institutions to understand state, accreditation, and federal laws regulating the field of postsecondary education, specifically focusing on standards of financial responsibility, mergers and acquisitions, and other substantive changes. He also works with institutions responding to negative actions from regulatory authorities, represents clients in hearings before accrediting bodies, and works proactively with institutions to prevent adverse actions.
Prior to joining Dow Lohnes, Mr. Vaughan worked as a manager for the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, with primary responsibility for the financial review of accredited member institutions, change of ownership and nonmain campus applications, and administrative appeals. During his seven-year tenure at ACICS, Mr. Vaughan completed hundreds of on-site evaluations of accredited and applicant institutions.
Memberships and Activities
Member - National Association of College and University Attorneys
Dean's Fellow - 2000-2001
Member - Moot Court Board
Recent Speaking Engagements
The School Closure Experience, Coming to a State Near You - National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools Conference, Sacramento, CA (April 23, 2013)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due – The New Title IV Credit Hour Definitions – Region V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Chicago, IL (May 2012)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due –The Role of States in the New Title IV Credit Hour Definitions - National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools Annual Conference, Arlington, VA (April 2012)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due – The New Title IV Credit Hour Definitions – Regions I-III Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 2012)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due – The Evolving Title IV Credit Hour Definitions - Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, Las Vegas, NV (February 2012)
Expanding the Role of Auditors – Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities CPA Seminar, Arlington VA (November 2011)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due – The New Title IV Credit Hour Definitions – California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference, San Diego, CA (October 2011)
Operating on a New Frontier – Staying on New Regulatory Trails – Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Annual Conference, Tucson, AZ (October 2011)
Gainful Employment: Disclosure, Reporting and Debt Measures – Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Annual Professional Development Conference, Charleston, SC (September 2011)
Environment In Accreditation: How the New DOE Program Integrity Regulations are Changing Accreditation - California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Boot Camp, Newport Beach, CA (August 2011)
Staying Ahead of the Regulatory Curve -- Assessing & Navigating the Business Implications of Gainful Employment, State Authorization, & Other Developments – Capital Roundtable MasterClass, New York, NY (July 2011)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due – The New Title IV Credit Hour Definitions – Regions V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Chicago, IL (May 2011)
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due – The New Title IV Credit Hour Definitions - Regions I-III Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 2011)
Federal Regulatory Changes and Challenges for Accreditation - Coalition of New York State Career Schools, West Point, N.Y. (November 2010)
Negotiated Dealmaking: Introduction to Transactions and How the NPRM and Final Rules Impact the Deal – Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Annual Conference, Savannah, GA (November 2010)
Introduction to Transactions and Factors Influencing the Pricing of For-Profit Colleges - California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, Palm Springs, CA (October 2010)
Creating a Culture of Compliance – Career Colleges and Schools of Texas, Galveston, TX (October 2010)
Creating a Culture of Compliance – Regions V Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Chicago, IL (May 2010)
Creating a Culture of Compliance - Regions II/III Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 2010)
Under the Hood – Due Diligence/Financial Statements - Career College Association Investor Conference Boot Camp, Washington, DC (December 2009)
Preparing to Buy or Sell a School: Issues Facing Transactions of All Sizes - California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, Los Angeles, CA (October 2009)
Opportunities & Challenges Related to Training International Students - Career College Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL (June 2009)
Financial Stability: What can regulators do when the numbers don’t add up? – National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools Annual Conference, Charleston, SC (April 2009)
Campus Crime, Safety and Privacy – Virginia Career College Association, Richmond, VA (October 2008)
Title IV Compliance and Recent Developments - Coalition of New York State Career Schools, Port Jefferson, N.Y. (November 2007)
Navigating Accreditation Requirements: How to Survive Peer Review - California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, San Diego, CA (October 2007)
Surviving Satisfactory Academic Progress - Florida Association of Private Colleges and Schools Annual Conference, Hollywood, FL (July 2007)
Substantive Change: Establishing Internal Review Processes for Title IV and Accreditation Compliance - Career College Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (June 2007)
Federal Financing of Higher Education - Title IV Higher Ed Act Update - Coalition of New York State Career Schools, West Point, N.Y. (November 2006)
Herding Cats: The Regulation of Online Education and Recruiting - California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, San Diego, CA (October 2006)
Title IV Updates - Florida Association of Private Colleges and Schools Annual Conference, Hollywood, FL (July 2006)
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 Online Education by State Agencies – National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ (April 2006)
Common Title IV Compliance Issues - Regions II/III Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Philadelphia, PA (April 2006)
Common Title IV Compliance Issues - Region IV Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Atlanta, GA (March 2006)
Financial Aid Outsourcing - FAPSC Winter Meeting, Orlando, FL (February 2006)
Common Title IV Compliance Issues - Region VII Private Career Colleges and Schools Conference, Kansas City, MO (January 2006)