Dr. MIguel Cardona is the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Education. Prior to this, Cardona served as the Connecticut commissioner of education from 2019 to 2021. He was confirmed by the United States Senate by a vote of 64–33 on March 1, 2021.[1]. A native of Meriden, Connecticut, Cardona began his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden. In 2003, at the age of 27, he was named principal of Hanover School, also in Meriden, making him the youngest principal in the state. From 2015 to 2019, Cardona served as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in his home town.[12][13] Cardona was also an adjunct professor of education in the University of Connecticut's Department of Educational Leadership.[14] During his career, he has focused on closing gaps between English-language learners and their peers.[6]. In August 2019, Governor Ned Lamont appointed Cardona as Commissioner of Education; Cardona is the first Latino to be appointed to the position.[10][15]

In December 2020, Cardona emerged as a candidate for United States Secretary of Education in Joe Biden's cabinetHe appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on February 3, 2021.[20] On February 25, his nomination was advanced by the Senate on a cloture vote of 66–32.[21] Cardona was confirmed on March 1, 2021 by a 64–33 vote. Cardona took his oath of office on March 1, 2021 and was ceremonially sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on March 2, 2021.[22]