New Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says 'reopen schools.' Here's where he stands on other key issues Erin Richards and Chris Quintana, USA TODAY Cardona vows to tackle problems worsened by virus Replay Video UP NEXT U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is officially the new point person for American education — at a time when the stakes couldn't be higher. The Senate confirmed Cardona's appointment Monday after the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions advanced his nomination in February. Cardona, 45, is rising from his post as Connecticut's commissioner of education and taking control of American schooling at a fraught time.