Biden To Appoint a Latino To Lead the Education Department

By Neil P. First Posted: Dec 22, 2020 04:33 AM EST

President-elect Joe Biden is poised to appoint a Latino to lead the Education Department. Biden is expected to announce it before Christmas.

(Photo : Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)
President-elect Joe Biden announces members of his climate and energy appointments at the Queen theater.

President-elect Joe Biden is under pressure to create a cabinet that shows diversity. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus recently endorsed some names to become a part of his Cabinet. Biden is now reportedly set to appoint a Latino to lead the Education Department.

Biden To Appoint Latino Lead the Education Department

President-elect Joe Biden is poised to appoint Miguel Cardona, a Latino, to head the Education Department and be a part of his Cabinet. Two persons who know this matter said that Biden would announce before Christmas.

According to a recently published report in CNN News, Cardona could make one of Biden's final Cabinet selection before Christmas. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a group of Democratic lawmakers, has endorsed Cardona to head the Education Department.

Meanwhile, Biden has set a goal of reopening most schools within his first 100 days after entering the White House. This is the President-elect's position that touched off a controversy with some teachers' unions.

In a recent speech, Biden said if Congress could provide the necessary funding to protect students, educators, and staff with the public following strong public health measures, his team will work to see that majority of schools can open by the end of his first 100 days.

Cardona has been a leading proponent in sending back the students to school. He said that many students fall behind during virtual learning amid the global pandemic. This is why he is pushing the students to go back to school instead of having classes virtually.

Miguel Cardona's Background

Cardona fits to become the next head of the country's Education Department. Two decades ago, he was an elementary school teacher in Connecticut. Then he became a school principal. He was also named as the state's top education official in 2019.

Cardona has deep roots in Latin culture. Both of his parents were from Puerto Rico and then moved to Connecticut. If the Senate confirms Cardona's appointment, he will become another high-profile Latino in Biden's Cabinet.

Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Association for six years; Leslie Fenwick, dean emeritus of the Howard University School of Education and an education policy professor; and Sharon Contreras, superintendent of schools for Guilford County, North Carolina, were also being considered for the job.

Biden is expected to announce the name of the chosen education secretary this Wednesday. However, the five Cabinet-level positions, including the attorney general, that Biden needs to name are no longer expected before Christmas.

Biden's decision to appoint a Latino to lead the Education Department could help him build trust and confidence among the Latino community.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus expects Biden to appoint at least five Latinos under his Cabinet to make sure that the largest minority group in the country is well represented.