Nicholas Kent has officially assumed office as the US Under Secretary of Education, following Senate confirmation and a formal swearing-in ceremony. The role places him at the center of federal policymaking on postsecondary education, student aid, and workforce alignment at a time of renewed debate over the future of American higher education.Kent’s elevation to the Department of Education’s third-highest post marks a critical appointment by the Trump administration as it looks to reassert conservative priorities in education policy. He is expected to take a leading role in overseeing initiatives related to career pathways, short-term credential programmes, and institutional accountability.Known for his work on regulatory reform and workforce alignment, Kent has built a reputation as a pragmatic policy strategist with experience spanning both federal and state education systems.
Education and early academic foundations
A first-generation college graduate, Nicholas Kent holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He later earned a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University, a programme that emphasizes policy design, data use, and systemic school improvement. His academic path helped lay the foundation for his interest in bridging education with labor market outcomes.Kent has often spoken about the importance of access and equity in postsecondary education, themes that have underpinned much of his policy work.
A career rooted in education reform
Before joining the Department of Education, Kent served as Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education under Governor Glenn Youngkin. In that role, he was responsible for advancing K–12 and higher education reforms across the state, with a focus on career-connected learning and outcome-driven funding models.His earlier tenure as Chief Policy Officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) placed him at the intersection of federal policy and institutional practice. While at CECU, Kent advocated for regulatory frameworks that support alternative education providers and workforce-focused credentials. He also held a senior post at the District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where he managed data systems and research initiatives tied to student performance and accountability.What lies aheadAs Under Secretary, Kent will be tasked with steering federal efforts around student financial aid, accreditation, and the interface between higher education and employment. He joins the Department at a time of significant political attention to cost transparency, institutional effectiveness, and the value of postsecondary credentials.With a blend of academic training and policy experience, Kent’s leadership is likely to shape how the federal government addresses questions of quality, access, and return on investment in higher education.
