Earlier this month, Dr. Miguel Cardona was sworn in as the new U.S. secretary of education. As the top leadership role in the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the secretary serves
as the principal adviser to the president and administration on activities, policies, and programs related to all levels of education.
Secretary Cardona (pictured right) previously served as the Connecticut commissioner of education – a position to which the state’s governor appointed him. He comes to ED with a wealth of education experience, including two decades as a public school
educator, having started his career as an elementary teacher.
Now, one year into the severe COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Cardona expressed the following in a recent public statement, affirming the reality that NCAN members reckon
with in their service of students:
“The most pressing challenges we face aren't new. Since I began teaching more than 20 years ago, opportunity gaps remain. There are still unacceptable disparities in high school graduation rates and higher education is still out of reach for too many students, including learners of color, those from low-income families, and those, as I was, who would be the first in their families to attend.
These inequities aren't just holding our children back from achieving their full potential – they're holding our nation back, too. We all benefit when our children have high-quality opportunities to develop their skills and build their knowledge – and then, share their gifts and talents with the world.”
NCAN sent a letter to Secretary Cardona congratulating him on the confirmation of his role and to offer, on behalf of NCAN and our members, recommendations for action and important
priorities for the department to help close equity gaps in postsecondary attainment. Additionally, in collaboration with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, NCAN corresponded with the Secretary in a joint letter urging his department to prioritize the implementation of changes to, and simplification of, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, as enacted into law late last year.
Furthermore, though not yet confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Biden administration has nominated James Kvaal to be under secretary of education. In this role, Kvaal would lead ED on federal postsecondary education policy.
Kvaal is currently the president of The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), an NCAN member. Previously, Kvaal served in President Obama’s administration. He has also held senior roles at ED and in Congress—working on higher education issues
including college access, affordability, and success. Kvaal is known as a strong and pragmatic voice for postsecondary access and
success for students from low-income backgrounds and students who are underrepresented in higher education.
NCAN, on behalf of our members, looks forward to working with the Department of Education’s new leadership and hopes to serve as a resource regarding the high-school-to-postsecondary transition, college affordability, and the college experience of students
of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students who are first in their family to go to college.
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