Gary E. Swanson previously worked as a professor and director of television for nine years at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he taught mostly graduate broadcast students.

Swanson is a three-time Fulbright Scholar. He is an internationally recognized and highly acclaimed documentary producer, director, editor, consultant and educator. He has given speeches, presented workshops and lectured at conferences, festivals and universities throughout China, India, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Greece, Germany, Jordan, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 1992, he covered the XXV Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, for NBC News as a field producer and photographer.

Swanson has earned more than 57 awards for broadcast excellence, including three national Emmy's, the DuPont Columbia Award, two CINE "Golden Eagles," 12 Telly's and the Monte Carlo International Award.