Loni Swain

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Loni developed an early love of storytelling that would become the through line of her career. She attended the University of New Orleans on a merit-based scholarship, an opportunity that made higher education accessible without the significant financial burden that otherwise would have shaped her college options. That experience gave her a deep understanding of how affordability and access influence educational opportunity for students and families. 

Loni began her career in broadcast journalism, spending fifteen years as a radio and television personality across markets including New Orleans, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as on a nationally syndicated show reaching 21 markets. She later created, executive produced, and hosted her own slice-of-life television show in Chicago, spotlighting local musicians, hidden gems, and nonprofits making meaningful community impact. Over time, her storytelling instincts led her into strategic communications and marketing consulting, where she built campaigns, shaped brand narratives, and supported both mission-driven organizations and businesses, often serving as the sole communications infrastructure. 

Loni joins The Campaign for College Opportunity as Director of Communications, bringing a unique blend of broadcast media experience, entrepreneurial creativity, nonprofit communications expertise, and community-centered storytelling to help amplify the organization’s impact across California. She is passionate about using storytelling to help more people understand both the urgency of educational equity and the real impact expanded college access can have on students and families. 

University of New Orleans 

Why I Do What I Do: As a lifelong storyteller, I’m passionate about using communications to connect people to purpose, possibility, and impact. My experience accessing higher education through scholarship support gave me a deep understanding of how opportunity and affordability shape students’ lives, which is what makes the Campaign’s mission feel so deeply personal to me. 

Alma Mater(s): University of New Orleans 

Your role in one sentence: I help amplify The Campaign for College Opportunity’s mission through storytelling that centers student voices and highlights the real-world impact of the organization’s work. 

When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college I am…
cooking a delicious meal, treasure hunting at resale shops, finding an off-the-beaten-path adventure, or traveling somewhere fabulous with friends. 

If not higher education, then what cause? I’m also passionate about mental health advocacy, particularly efforts focused on destigmatizing mental health challenges and expanding access to support in historically marginalized communities.