The U.S. Department of Education has recently appointed a number of experienced professionals to support the vision of President Trump and Secretary McMahon, with the goal of making American education the best in the world.
These new leaders bring with them a wealth of experience in education policy, workforce development, and higher education. Here’s a look at some of the key appointments:
Lindsey Burke – Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Programs
Lindsey Burke, Ph.D., brings over 17 years of experience in education policy, having worked at the Heritage Foundation. As the Director of the Center for Education Policy, she led research and policy initiatives related to preschool, K-12, and higher education.
Burke has testified before Congress on numerous education issues and has been actively involved in the national conversation on education reform.
She holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy from George Mason University and has contributed to various educational think tanks and advisory boards.
Jeffrey Andrade – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, Office of Postsecondary Education
Jeff Andrade brings nearly 40 years of experience in federal education and workforce development policy. He has served as a senior budget analyst at the Department of Education and worked as a staffer on the House Education and Workforce Committee.
Andrade has been instrumental in drafting landmark legislation such as the Federal Student Aid office’s performance-based model.
He holds a degree in Political Science from The American University and has deep personal experience navigating education through Pell Grants and scholarships.
Christopher J. McCaghren – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education
Dr. Chris McCaghren has extensive experience in higher education, having served as CEO of Higher Education Solutions and in leadership roles at several universities.
He also oversaw the distribution of more than $36 billion in pandemic relief funding to higher education institutions during the first Trump Administration.
McCaghren holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Vanderbilt University and has a strong background in academic administration and policy.
Nicholas “Nick” Moore – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Nick Moore has focused on education and workforce development in Alabama, where he led efforts to align state education programs with workforce needs.
He is a former Teach for America corps member and has worked on education policy at both the state and federal levels.
Moore holds a Master of Public Policy from Cornell University and has significant experience working on education and workforce transformation projects.
Jason Delisle – Chief Economist and Senior Adviser, Office of the Under Secretary
Jason Delisle is an expert in higher education finance and policy, with experience at prominent think tanks such as the American Enterprise Institute.
Delisle has worked on issues related to the federal student loan program and has been involved in research on college pricing and enrollment trends.
He holds a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University and has testified before Congress on various education finance issues.
Casey K. Sacks, Ph.D. – Senior Policy Advisor, Workforce and AI
Casey Sacks, Ph.D., is the President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College and has a strong background in workforce development and higher education.
Sacks has previously worked at the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on career and technical education, adult education, and prison education.
She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University and has been involved in numerous educational boards and commissions.
Meir Katz – Senior Advisor, Office for Civil Rights
Meir Katz has a background in civil rights law and policy, having served as Senior Counsel in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Katz has also worked as an Administrative Appeals Judge for the Medicare Appeals Counsel.
His legal expertise and work in civil rights will contribute to ensuring fairness and equality within education policies. Katz earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center.
The U.S. Department of Education’s new appointees bring diverse expertise and experience to the table, and their efforts will play a critical role in shaping the future of American education.
Their focus on improving policies for K-12 education, higher education, workforce development, and civil rights aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that education in the U.S. is accessible, equitable, and effective.
These leaders are set to contribute significantly to the ongoing reform of the American education system.
