Dr. Swain is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Engineering Leadership and Program Management (ELPM) in the School of Engineering (SOE) at The Citadel. 

Dr. Swain served for over 34 years of active and reserve military service, achieving the rank of Colonel, United States Air Force. During his military career, he served in a variety of progressively responsible command, staff, and leadership positions in Fighter Air and Strategic Airlift Aviation. He has served in combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.  Dr. Swain served as a commercial airline pilot and instructor flying worldwide operations for 35 years, when not deployed during military operations.  Dr. Swain served in program leadership positions in both his military and airline careers.   

Dr. Swain earned his BS in Management at The United States Air Force Academy (1979), Master’s in Systems Management from the Florida Institute of Technology (1986), and his DEng in Engineering Management from The George Washington University (2022). His dissertation was on aircraft routing and recovery during irregular airline flight operations. He is a Certified Professional Engineering Manager (CPEM) by the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).  He currently serves on the board of directors for the National Institute of Building Science (NIBS).