The nomination of Dr. Miguel Cardona — a former elementary school teacher and principal — to be the next U.S. secretary of education is winning widespread support among scholars and educational leaders.
Cardona — who currently serves as commissioner of education for the state of Connecticut — rose through the ranks to emerge as President-elect Joe Biden’s top pick. Last week, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus lobbied for the 45-year-old Cardona.
“Mr. Cardona’s extensive career has spanned across every level of education,” the legislators wrote in a letter to Biden, noting that Cardona became a principal by the age of 28 and went on to serve as an assistant superintendent and then as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut. In 2019, Cardona was named Connecticut’s education commissioner, the first Latino to hold the post.
“As a Spanish-only speaking student when he first started school, Mr. Cardona fully grasps the challenges that English as Second Language (ESL) Learners, Latinos, and other minority students face in America’s classrooms,” the legislators added.
Biden’s selection of Cardona is not a surprise, since the President-elect promised to appoint a U.S. secretary of education who served as a schoolteacher. Though some higher education advocacy groups like The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) expressed support for Congresswoman Alma Adams, they praised Cardona’s track record.
“We look forward to working with Secretary-elect Cardona in achieving the nation’s education excellence, equity and diversity goals,” said Lezli Baskerville, president & CEO of NAFEO. “Our colleges and universities are well equipped and eager to accelerate the closing of the education gap by, among other things, levering the full potential of the 105 HBCUs and 80 PBIs (Predominately Black Institutions) in graduating disproportionate percentages of African-ancestored students and other diverse students.”
Dr. James L. Moore III, vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at The Ohio State University, said that the U.S. secretary of education position remains one of the most important in the cabinet.
