Skip to content
ADVERTISEMENT
swaak-taylor.jpg

Taylor Swaak

Senior Reporter

What I Cover

I cover technology and innovation. I’m drawn to nuanced stories about how colleges are navigating an increasingly tech-infused world — a world where they’re relying on a growing number of ed-tech partners, and working to strike a balance between nurturing AI innovation and protecting their students and campus communities. This interest has sparked accountability reporting on controversial courseware products and tensions with online-program managers. It’s also inspired trends pieces on competitive AI hiring sprees and experimentation with AI-detection tools to stymy admissions fraud.

I’m a staunch supporter of solutions journalism as well, and contribute annually to The Chronicle’s robust collection of newsroom reports (get my latest here). I want readers to be not only informed, but energized, by what I write.

My Background

I joined The Chronicle in 2021. I previously wrote for The 74, a nonprofit news outlet, where I spearheaded K-12 coverage of the nation’s two largest school districts — NYC Public Schools and L.A. Unified — before documenting D.C. Public Schools’ pivot to virtual learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. My byline has also appeared in Newsday, Newsweek, The Hartford Courant, and on CNN.com.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in multi-platform journalism from the University of Maryland, where I got my start as a reporter and editor at The Diamondback. I live in northern Virginia; you can find me out on the bike trails or scoping out a new coffee shop.

Connect

You can reach me with tips and feedback at taylor.swaak@chronicle.com. I’m also a regular poster (and lurker) on LinkedIn.

Recent Stories

Technology
By Taylor Swaak April 24, 2025
Identifying course equivalents for students moving between institutions can be a time-intensive process that throws them off track. And it’s ripe for improvement.
Call Me By My Name
By Taylor Swaak April 10, 2025
The University of North Georgia is the latest to turn to AI tech during graduation. Sources say students’ reactions offer a critical takeaway.
Words and Actions
By Taylor Swaak March 28, 2025
Academics are sounding the alarm that staff reductions and anticipated budget cuts at the National Science Foundation are handicapping AI research and development.
Where Things Stand
By Taylor Swaak March 14, 2025
Recent developments show the online for-profit is keeping its options open.
'A Phenomenal Sea Change'
By Taylor Swaak March 7, 2025
Even traditional-age learners living on campus want the option of taking some courses online.
Racing the Clock
By Taylor Swaak December 6, 2024
The work also entails a major culture shift — all on deadline.
Listening In
By Taylor Swaak November 13, 2024
The trend marks the latest example of tech development outpacing governance.
Accessibility attempts
By Taylor Swaak October 21, 2024
Some affordability advocates fear flat-rate programs for textbooks are an existential threat to open educational resources, or OER. Others say they don’t have to be.
Admissions Fraud
By Taylor Swaak October 1, 2024
Fraud threats can be filtered out, but there are risks.
The Work Force
By Taylor Swaak August 26, 2024
Contending for talent is nothing new in higher ed. But with AI raising the stakes, leaders say this time feels different.