Miguel Angel Cardona is an American educator serving as the twelfth United States Secretary of Education since 2021, appointed by President Joe Biden. A Democrat, he was confirmed by the Senate with a 64-33 vote. Before his cabinet position, he was the Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education from 2019 to 2021.
July 11, 1975: Birth of Miguel Cardona
Miguel Angel Cardona was born on July 11, 1975.
1996: Wife Crowned Miss Connecticut Teen USA
In 1996, Marissa Pérez, Miguel Cardona's future wife, won the title of Miss Connecticut Teen USA.
1997: Bachelor's Degree in Education
Miguel Cardona graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Central Connecticut State University in 1997.
2001: Master's Degree in Bilingual and Bicultural Education
In 2001, Miguel Cardona received a Master of Science degree in bilingual and bicultural education from the University of Connecticut.
2001: Wife Crowned Miss Connecticut
Marissa Pérez, Miguel Cardona's wife, was crowned Miss Connecticut in 2001.
2002: Marriage to Marissa Pérez
Miguel Cardona married Marissa Pérez, a family-school liaison, in 2002.
2003: Youngest Principal in Connecticut
At the age of twenty-seven, Miguel Cardona became principal of Hanover School in Meriden, Connecticut, making him the youngest principal in the state at that time.
2004: Sixth-Year Certification
Miguel Cardona completed a professional sixth-year certification at the University of Connecticut in 2004.
2008: Collaboration with Linda Darling-Hammond
In 2008, Linda Darling-Hammond, who led the education secretary search for Barack Obama, worked with Miguel Cardona on various projects.
2011: Doctor of Education
Miguel Cardona earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Connecticut in 2011.
2015: Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Miguel Cardona served as the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in Meriden, Connecticut from 2015 to 2019.
August 2019: Connecticut's First Latino Commissioner of Education
Miguel Cardona was appointed commissioner of education in Connecticut in August 2019, becoming the first Latino to hold the position.
2019: Appointment as Connecticut Commissioner of Education
In 2019, Miguel Cardona began serving as the commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education.
December 2020: Consideration for US Secretary of Education
In December 2020, Miguel Cardona was considered by Joe Biden for the position of United States secretary of education.
February 3, 2021: Senate Committee Appearance
On February 3, 2021, Miguel Cardona appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
March 1, 2021: Confirmation as US Secretary of Education
On March 1, 2021, Miguel Cardona was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the twelfth United States secretary of education under President Joe Biden.
March 2, 2021: Sworn In by Vice President Harris
Miguel Cardona was officially sworn into office by Vice President Kamala Harris on March 2, 2021.
2021: Controversy over School Board Letter
In 2021, Miguel Cardona faced criticism from Republican officials for soliciting a letter from the National School Boards Association to the Department of Justice, which requested federal assistance for handling threats against school boards and mentioned the Patriot Act, leading to calls for his resignation.
June 30, 2023: Supreme Court Decision on Student Loan Forgiveness
On June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration's plan to forgive around $430 billion in student loan principles in the case of Biden v. Nebraska.
December 2023: Announcement of Student Loan Forgiveness Amount
In December 2023, Miguel Cardona revealed that the administration had forgiven approximately $132 billion in student debt over its first three years.
March 7, 2024: Designated Survivor for State of the Union
Miguel Cardona was designated survivor for President Biden's State of the Union address on March 7, 2024.
2024: Designated Survivor for State of the Union (2024)
Miguel Cardona was the designated survivor during President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union address.