Nicholas Kent
Nicholas Kent | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Education | |
| Assumed office Februrary 5, 2026 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Secretary | 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
Kent earned his bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, a Methodist school, and his master's from George Washington University. He is a first-generation college student and a Pell Grant recipient.
Career
From 2020 to 2021, Kent was a registered lobbyist for private higher education institutions and organizations, including for-profit colleges. From 2023 to 2025, Kent served as Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Education.
In February 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Kent to be under secretary of education. On August 1, 2025, Kent was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a party-line vote.
References
- ↑ 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.