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Nathan Arnold

Nathan Arnold

Principal

101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
nathan.arnold@nelsonmullins.com

Nathan previously served as Chief of Staff to the Acting Under Secretary and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. In those capacities he directed high-stakes policy initiatives, providing insight and guidance to the Under Secretary and Secretary of Education in the Obama and Trump Administrations. He...

Nathan previously served as Chief of Staff to the Acting Under Secretary and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. In those capacities he directed high-stakes policy initiatives, providing insight and guidance to the Under Secretary and Secretary of Education in the Obama and Trump Administrations. He helped lead the most recent administration transition in the Department, ensuring the continued delivery of Department services to the higher education community and briefing incoming officials on time-sensitive decisions. He oversaw cross-agency teams in developing legislative proposals and new regulations governing over $1 trillion in federal student aid, leading to the creation and implementation of several federal regulations including new income-driven repayment plans, credit standards for parent PLUS and grad PLUS loans, campus debit and prepaid card rules, and provisions governing borrower defense to repayment. He led the Department's interagency task force on proprietary education and oversaw the Department's efforts supporting borrowers attending closed schools following the closure of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and ITT Technical Institute, among others.

He began his career at the Department in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, preparing senior Department officials for Congressional hearings and building relationships with legislative staff to advance Department policy.

Nathan Arnold

helped lead the most recent administration transition in the Department, ensuring the continued delivery of Department services to the higher education community and briefing incoming officials on time-sensitive decisions. He oversaw cross-agency teams in developing legislative proposals and new regulations governing over $1 trillion in federal student aid, leading to the creation and implementation of several federal regulations including new income-driven repayment plans, credit standards for parent PLUS and grad PLUS loans, campus debit and prepaid card rules, and provisions governing borrower defense to repayment. He led the Department's interagency task force on proprietary education and oversaw the Department's efforts supporting borrowers attending closed schools following the closure of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and ITT Technical Institute, among others.

He began his career at the Department in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, preparing senior Department officials for Congressional hearings and building relationships with legislative staff to advance Department policy.

Nathan previously served as Chief of Staff to the Acting Under Secretary and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. In those capacities he directed high-stakes policy initiatives, providing insight and guidance to the Under Secretary and Secretary of Education in the Obama and Trump Administrations. He... helped lead the most recent administration transition in the Department, ensuring the continued delivery of Department services to the higher education community and briefing incoming officials on time-sensitive decisions. He oversaw cross-agency teams in developing legislative proposals and new regulations governing over $1 trillion in federal student aid, leading to the creation and implementation of several federal regulations including new income-driven repayment plans, credit standards for parent PLUS and grad PLUS loans, campus debit and prepaid card rules, and provisions governing borrower defense to repayment. He led the Department's interagency task force on proprietary education and oversaw the Department's efforts supporting borrowers attending closed schools following the closure of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and ITT Technical Institute, among others.

He began his career at the Department in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, preparing senior Department officials for Congressional hearings and building relationships with legislative staff to advance Department policy.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education
    • Senior Policy Advisor (2015–2018)
    • Student Aid Policy Advisor (2012–2015)
    • Legislative Analyst (2010–2012)
  • Chief Of Staff, U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Under Secretary (2017)
  • Student Attorney, Commonwealth Attorney of Virginia (2009–2010)

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, JD
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison, BA

Areas of Focus