Nicholas Kent
Under Secretary of Education
U.S. Department of Education
Sector: Unspecified
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.
