Miguel A. Cardona, born on July 11, 1975, in Meriden, Connecticut, is an American educator who served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education under President Joe Biden. Of Puerto Rican descent, Cardona began his career as a fourth-grade teacher and quickly advanced to become Connecticut's youngest principal at age 28. He earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Science in bilingual and bicultural education, as well as a Doctor of Education from the University of Connecticut. As Secretary of Education, Cardona focused on addressing achievement disparities, promoting bilingual education, and navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the educational sector.