President Trump has selected Nicholas Kent—a longtime advocate for for‑profit colleges—as his pick for Education Department Under Secretary, a move that has sparked concern over regulatory capture and federal oversight.
What We Know:
Nicholas Kent, previously Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education, is President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Under Secretary of Education, a key role overseeing federal higher education policy and student aid programs.
Kent served as chief policy officer for Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), a trade association representing for‑profit colleges, and led the CECU Research Foundation—entities tied to industry controversies including a $13 million settlement over alleged federal aid fraud.
His nomination was advanced by the Senate HELP committee in a narrow 12–11 vote on May 22, 2025; a final confirmation vote before the full Senate is pending.
Supporters cite Kent’s deep policy expertise, especially in higher education; opponents warn his background signals potential dismantling of oversight, particularly around federal student aid and consumer protections.
The nomination comes amid a broader Trump administration agenda to dismantle the Department of Education, shrink its workforce dramatically, and move major functions—like federal loans and special needs programs—to other agencies.
Trump and Secretary McMahon have moved aggressively to downsize the Department of Education, including the firing of nearly half of its staff and plans to transfer key responsibilities—such as management of student loans and disability services—to agencies like the SBA and HHS. Kent’s appointment would place someone with deep ties to the for‑profit college sector at the center of these changes, intensifying concerns among educators and public accountability advocates.
If confirmed, Kent would helm the office responsible for billions in student aid during a sweeping federal restructuring, raising sharp questions about future regulation and equity in higher education.