Under Secretary Nicholas Kent Sets Priorities for Higher Ed
Jessica Blake
August 5, 2025
Kent said Monday he will “restore the greatness of American higher education.” Some experts question how he’ll do that.
Nicholas Kent, a career higher education policy expert and now the Department of Education’s under secretary, has made his priorities for American colleges and universities clear—controlling student debt, building public trust and ensuring students experience a positive return on investment.
“If colleges and other postsecondary institutions merit taxpayer investment, it is because they equip American citizens with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this rapidly-evolving economy,” he said in his first letter to the department’s staff. “The ‘higher education industrial complex’ must be shaken up by competition, accountability, and a future-focused mindset.”
