Today, the U.S. Department of Education celebrated President Donald J. Trump’s nominations to lead the Department’s critical education reform agenda. Leaders from across the nation provided statements of support for the incoming leadership team.
Nicholas Kent - Under Secretary of Education
Nicholas Kent joins the Department of Education after serving as Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to serving in the Youngkin Administration, Kent was the Chief Policy Officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), a national higher education trade association. Before joining CECU, he was the Director of Policy, Planning, and Research at the DC office of the State Superintendent of Education.
- “Nicholas Kent is a leader in higher education reform, and his nomination is a testament to the outstanding work for Virginia students and families. His leadership as Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education strengthened the management of our higher education institutions, increasing transparency to hold them accountable to parents and students. Nicholas has been a true partner in championing free speech and intellectual freedom in our public institutions. President Trump and America are gaining a leader who will put education back on track.” - Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia
Jennifer Mascott - General Counsel, Department of Education
Jennifer Mascott is a tenured associate professor of law at Catholic University where she founded the Separation of Powers Institute and the Separation of Powers Litigation Clinic. Previously, she was assistant professor of law at Scalia Law School and codirector of the C. Boyden Gray Center. She has served in all three branches of federal government, including as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel, Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, and as a Public Member of the Administrative Conference of the United States. She clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas and then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
- “As a long-time educator, tenured law professor, and former senior Justice Department official, Jenn is well-positioned to lead the Department's legal operation. She has served at the highest levels of the legal profession, as a former law clerk to two Supreme Court Justices, and is one of the nation's leading scholars on regulatory process and executive power.” - Stephen Payne, Dean of the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America
Kimberly Richey - Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education
Kimberly Richey is a teacher and an attorney who has served in education leadership roles at the state and federal level for almost twenty years, serving in senior positions at the Oklahoma, Virginia, and Florida departments of education. Ms. Richey has consulted for various organizations, including Parents Defending Education, and previously served at the U.S. Department of Education from 2004-2009 under the George W. Bush administration and more recently under the Trump Administration from 2017-2021.
- “I have known Kim Richey for over twenty years, having supervised her work during the George W. Bush and Donald J. Trump (I) administrations, and I can say without reservation that she is one of the most impressive professionals with whom I have ever worked: exceptionally smart, effective, and honest, with a deep commitment to improving civil rights and education for the American people. There is no better choice for Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights.” - Kenneth Marcus, Chairman of the Brandeis Center for Human Rights
Kirsten Baesler - Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education
Kirsten Baesler is currently the longest-serving chief state school officer in the nation as North Dakota’s elected state superintendent of public instruction. Baesler has built a reputation for championing personalized competency-based learning, implementing the choice ready accountability framework to ensure students are graduating with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to be successful in work, college, or military, and leading statewide efforts to improve student academic achievement.
- “Kirsten Baesler is an excellent choice to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to return education to the states. We worked together to drive major change in North Dakota’s schools and create a boom of work-ready young people to support our changing economy. Kirsten’s leadership, passion for education, and ability to get big things done will be a great asset to secretary McMahon and President Trump!” - Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior
- “We appreciate President Trump and Department of Education Secretary-elect McMahon nominating Kirsten to this position. Kirsten has done a tremendous job overseeing the education of students in North Dakota and will be a great asset to the Trump administration. Kirsten has spent her career focused on education and has experience ranging from teaching in a classroom to leading the NDPPI. We congratulate her on her nomination and will work with our colleagues to ensure she is confirmed by the Senate as quickly as possible.” - John Hoeven, U.S. Senator for North Dakota
Kevin O’Farrell - Assistant Secretary for Career and Technical Education, Department of Education
Dr. Kevin O’Farrell currently serves as the Chancellor for the Division of Career and Adult Education for the Florida Department of Education. He provides strategic leadership to the career and technical education programs, workforce education, apprenticeship programs, and adult education throughout the state of Florida. Dr. O’Farrell has over 18 years of experience in education leadership as an instructor, executive administrator, and state leader.
- “Kevin O’Farrell has been a dedicated member of the Florida Department of Education team over the last several years. He has worked tirelessly to advance Governor DeSantis’ mission to expand workforce education opportunities that lead to high-demand jobs and ensure that Florida’s workforce is able to meet the demands of our growing economy. While we will miss his knowledge, skill, and energy for serving Florida’s students, there is no one better suited to continue this important work at U.S. Ed.” - Manny Diaz Jr, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education
Mary Christina Riley - Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education
Mary Christina Riley most recently served as Professional Staff for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce under then-Chairwoman Virginia Foxx. Over the past decade, she has held several roles focused on education and workforce for various members in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the first Trump administration, Mary Christina served as Senior Advisor in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the Department of Education and worked to advance President Trump’s higher education agenda with Congress.
“During my tenure leading Republicans on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Mary Christina Riley was a trusted, impactful member of my team. She served on the frontline of efforts to reform higher education, advance the American workforce, and reduce regulatory burdens on American innovators and job creators. Her thoughtful counsel, discernment, and subject matter expertise were undeniable assets to the Committee and its members. I know she’ll provide that same unparalleled caliber of service as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the Department of Education.” - Virginia Foxx, Former Chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce