Miguel Cardona, who served as the US Secretary of Education under President Joe Biden, is now set to join the faculty at Yale University’s School of Management (SOM). Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, he will lead an education policy course. This move is particularly noteworthy given the current political climate, as the Trump administration has actively pursued measures to downsize or even dismantle the Department of Education, with President Trump having previously signed an executive order aiming to close the department and delegate its functions to individual states.
Cardona’s new position at Yale underscores his consistent dedication to advancing education, particularly in areas of equity and access. He will co-instruct the elective “Education Policy” course with Professor Seth Zimmerman, exploring critical subjects like accountability, pathways to higher education, and the economic benefits of schooling.
From Meriden Teacher to National Education Figure
Born and raised in Meriden, Connecticut, Miguel Cardona started his journey in education as a fourth-grade teacher at Israel Putnam Elementary School. Demonstrating exceptional leadership early on, he became Connecticut’s youngest principal at just 27, heading Hanover Elementary School. His career rapidly advanced, with subsequent roles including assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in Meriden and, notably, commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education – a historic appointment as the first Latino to hold the position.
Cardona holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Central Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in bilingual and bicultural education, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Connecticut. His postgraduate work extensively explored the disparities in academic achievement among English-language learners.
Leading Through Crises
During his tenure as Connecticut’s education commissioner, Cardona was instrumental in guiding the state’s schools through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. He frequently highlighted concerns about the mental health toll of remote learning on students. Under the Biden administration, he oversaw the implementation of significant student loan forgiveness programs, including specific relief initiatives launched after a broader loan forgiveness plan was struck down by the Supreme Court.
Beyond his teaching duties, Cardona will collaborate with The Broad Center at Yale, an initiative dedicated to K-12 public school leadership, fostering connections with educators and administrators nationwide. Nathan Dudley, an SOM lecturer, praised Cardona’s unwavering commitment to educational equity and supporting teachers, especially crucial during a time when these principles are often politically contentious, as reported in the Yale Daily News.
Navigating Education Policy in a Complex Political Landscape
Professor Seth Zimmerman emphasized in a statement to the Yale Daily News that Cardona’s diverse experience across local, state, and federal educational leadership will provide students with invaluable real-world perspectives on education policymaking. Students eagerly anticipate the course, expecting it to delve into the complexities of decision-making amidst uncertainty, with Cardona uniquely positioned to connect theoretical policy with the practical realities of the classroom.
Students such as Roy Kohavi and Noemi Liu specifically lauded Cardona’s rare ability to combine insights from both top-tier leadership and on-the-ground teaching. Liu highlighted the frequent disconnect between high-level policy formulation and its actual implementation in classrooms—a gap that Cardona’s extensive and varied career is uniquely suited to bridge.
Married to Marissa Pérez and a father of two, Cardona continues to be a vocal proponent for robust federal support for public and under-resourced schools. His transition to Yale SOM signifies a sustained commitment to shaping future education leaders, particularly as the sector navigates a complex and often politically charged environment.