Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
On the campaign trail, #PresidentTrump promised to do away with the U.S. Department of Education, leaning on a #Republican mantra that the federal government meddles too much in decisions that are better left to state officials. But a very different philosophy prevailed in Washington during the presidency of #JoeBiden, who embraced #student-debt relief as a key priority and leaned on the education department to execute a bold — if not always successful — agenda. In an exit interview with The Chronicle, the Biden administration’s under secretary of education, James Kvaal, reflects on the department’s work, its failures, and the future of Democratic higher-ed policy.
Guest: James Kvaal, former under secretary of education
On the campaign trail, #PresidentTrump promised to do away with the U.S. Department of Education, leaning on a #Republican mantra that the federal government meddles too much in decisions that are better left to state officials. But a very different philosophy prevailed in Washington during the presidency of #JoeBiden, who embraced #student-debt relief as a key priority and leaned on the education department to execute a bold — if not always successful — agenda. In an exit interview with The Chronicle, the Biden administration’s under secretary of education, James Kvaal, reflects on the department’s work, its failures, and the future of Democratic higher-ed policy.
Guest: James Kvaal, former under secretary of education
