Under Secretary of Education
The Under Secretary of Education is the third-highest-ranking official in the United States Department of Education. The Under Secretary oversees policies, programs, and activities related to post secondary education, vocational and adult education, and federal student aid.
The Office of the Under Secretary is responsible for helping to implement the Secretary's Action Plan for Higher Education, which calls for expanding the accessibility, affordability, and accountability of higher education for more Americans.
The Under Secretary of Education is appointed by the President of the United States, with the approval of the United States Senate, to serve at the President's pleasure. Ted Mitchell held the position under President Barack Obama from May 2014 to 2017. In the current department, led by Betsy DeVos, Diane Auer Jones is the Principle Deputy Under Secretary.
