Nicholas Kent was sworn in as the 15th Under Secretary of Education following confirmation by the United States Senate. In this position, he will work with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to carry out President Trump’s agenda for higher education reform.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Nicholas Kent’s technical expertise and vast experience in higher education will serve as an invaluable asset to the Department of Education team. Not only will he work to fulfill President Trump’s vision for accreditation, accountability reforms, and more, but he will also be a great benefit to current and aspiring postsecondary students, faculty, and staff. I look forward to serving alongside Nicholas as we continue to strengthen higher education and brighten America’s future.”
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent expressed gratitude for his appointment: “I want to thank President Trump and Secretary McMahon for their trust and confidence in me. It’s an honor to serve at a time when higher education faces both serious challenges and real opportunities. Now is the time to disrupt the status quo—by embracing alternatives to the traditional college experience, cutting costs, reducing federal bureaucracy, and holding every institution accountable for results. That starts with aligning education to the needs of today’s workforce and ensuring all Americans—regardless of background—can climb the economic ladder through hard work. Rising student loan debt, eroding public trust, a lack of viewpoint diversity, inadequate campus safety, and poor outcomes are urgent problems that demand bold action. I look forward to working with students, families, institutions, employers, and policymakers to deliver meaningful reforms that make higher education work better for today’s learners and tomorrow’s economy.”
Kent will oversee policies and programs related to postsecondary education, vocational training, adult education initiatives, and federal student aid. His responsibilities include implementing President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act which aims at reducing higher education costs, simplifying student loan repayment processes, introducing a Workforce Pell Grant program designed for workforce development needs (https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7890), and establishing accountability measures for colleges whose graduates have low earnings outcomes.
Before this role, Kent served as Deputy Secretary of Education in Virginia under Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration. He previously worked as Chief Policy Officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), a national trade association focused on career-oriented postsecondary institutions. Earlier in his career he directed policy planning and research at the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
