Sessions & Speakers

Nicholas Kent was sworn in as the 15th Under Secretary of Education on August 4, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. As of February 5, 2026, Kent has also been delegated the duties of Deputy Secretary of Education. As a first-generation college student and a respected education policy expert with more than two decades of experience, Kent serves as the nation’s top federal official for higher education. As Under Secretary, Kent oversees the Department’s postsecondary education, career, technical, and adult education, and federal student aid programs. This includes managing the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio and the over $30 billion Pell Grant program. Kent is responsible for implementing President Trump’s mission to restore the greatness of American higher education and ensure that our taxpayer-supported colleges, universities, vocational schools, and other postsecondary programs are genuinely helping high school graduates and working adults launch and grow their careers. Kent spearheads the implementation of President Trump's landmark legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will lower the cost of higher education, simplify student loan repayment, expand workforce trainings options, and hold institutions accountable for degrees that do not provide a return on investment.

Melanie Storey is the president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), beginning her tenure on May 1, 2025. With decades of experience in federal higher education policy, financial aid operations, and organizational leadership, Storey brings deep expertise and a steadfast commitment to advancing access and equity in higher education. Storey previously served as director of policy implementation and oversight at the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), where she led cross-functional teams in translating federal policy into practice. She played a central role in implementing the FAFSA Simplification Act and the FUTURE Act, and contributed to major initiatives like federal student loan debt relief. She frequently represented FSA before congressional staff, administration officials, and higher education leaders. Before joining the Department, Storey led policy and strategy work at College Board and served as director of national initiatives at the American Council on Education (ACE), where she supported national commissions, analyzed legislative proposals, and led public service campaigns. Earlier in her career, she was a policy analyst at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), where she conducted research and collaborated with government relations staff on federal policy proposals affecting private institutions. A proud first-generation college graduate and financial aid recipient, Storey earned a master's degree in public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas at Austin and holds bachelor's degrees in economics and public policy from Smith College.