Nicholas Kent
Nicholas Kent | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Education | |
| Assumed office Februrary 5, 2026 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Leader | Linda McMahon |
| Preceded by | Richard Smith (acting) |
| 15th Under Secretary of Education | |
| Assumed office August 4, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | James Kvaal |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | West Virginia Wesleyan College (BA) George Washington University (MA) |
Nicholas Kent is an American public official who has served as the under secretary of education within the United States Department of Education since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as the acting deputy secretary of education since 2026.
Early life and education
[edit]Kent earned his bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, a Methodist school, and his master's from George Washington University.[1][2] He is a first-generation college student and a Pell Grant recipient.
Career
[edit]From 2020 to 2021, Kent was a registered lobbyist for private higher education institutions and organizations, including for-profit colleges.[3] From 2023 to 2025, Kent served as Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Education.[4]
In February 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Kent to be under secretary of education.[5] On August 1, 2025, Kent was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a party-line vote.[6]
References
[edit]- ↑ Schools, Career (December 18, 2025). "CSPEN Breaking News: Under Secretary Nicholas Kent To Keynote 8th Annual Higher Education Policy Meeting". Career Schools Private Education Network. Archived from the original on June 14, 2026. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Alumnus, Nicholas Kent, Named Under Secretary of Education at the U.S. Department of Education | The Graduate School of Education and Human Development | The George Washington University". The Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Nicholas Kent - 15th Under Secretary of Education - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Cooper, Preston (August 5, 2025). "In Nicholas Kent, Education Department Lands a Tremendous Asset". American Enterprise Institute - AEI. Archived from the original on May 4, 2026. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "NASFAA | Trump Nominates Nicholas Kent for ED Under Secretary". www.nasfaa.org. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ "PN25-26 - Nomination of Nicholas Kent for Department of Education, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". www.congress.gov. August 1, 2025. Archived from the original on November 24, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2026.