Denise Carter Retires as Chief Operating Officer of FSA
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
The Department of Education (ED) announced on Wednesday that Denise Carter, chief operating officer (COO) of the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) and former acting secretary of ED, is retiring.
Starting Wednesday, Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron will serve as acting COO for FSA. In its press release, ED did not indicate who would serve as acting under secretary.
At ED, Carter served multiple roles, including as COO of FSA since July 2024, after it was announced that Richard Cordray would be stepping down from his position. In January this year, after the Biden administration left office, she was appointed as acting ED secretary until Linda McMahon’s Senate confirmation in March. Carter also served as the head of ED’s Office of Finance and Operations and has held multiple positions in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Carter’s retirement announcement comes on the heels of a reduction in force (RIF) at ED, where the department laid off nearly 50% of its staff across all divisions, and President Donald Trump’s executive order to dissolve the department.
“Throughout her distinguished career in public service, Ms. Carter has showcased a willingness to take on challenging roles,” ED Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Prior to my arrival to the department, she served as a pivotal leader – lending unparalleled expertise to incoming officials including myself. On behalf of the entire department, we thank Ms. Carter for her guidance throughout this transition and wish her all the best moving forward.”
Publication Date: 4/3/2025
Peter G | 4/3/2025 4:27:51 PM
30+ years in federal govt is nothing to sneeze at.
While I don't know James Bergeron personally, looking at his resume I would hope the plan is not that he be FSA COO permanently.
Presumably we all learned our lesson from having a politico/policy person as COO when the Dems tried it with Cordray being Under-Under Secretary instead of COO. The middle 'O' of 'operating' being key there, after all.
Melissa W | 4/3/2025 12:11:44 PM
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