Miguel Cardona ’01 MA, ’04 6th Year, ’11 Ed.D., ’12 ELP is President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to be the country’s top education official. If confirmed by the Senate, this would mark the first time a University of Connecticut alum has held a Cabinet-level position in the White House.

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. has selected Miguel A. Cardona, Connecticut’s commissioner of education and a longtime public-school educator, as his nominee for secretary of education. Like many education secretaries before him, Cardona has a background predominantly in elementary and secondary education. According to his online biography, he began his career as an elementary-school teacher before ascending to school principal, assistant superintendent, and statewide commissioner, a post he has held since last year.

Miguel Cardona ’01 MA, ’04 6th Year, ’11 Ed.D., ’12 ELP is President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to be the country’s top education official. If confirmed by the Senate, this would mark the first time a University of Connecticut alum has held a Cabinet-level position in the White House.

Friendships are powerful and positive – especially friendships between members of historically marginalized groups like women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals. In a paper recently published by the journal Human Resource Development Review, lead author Kristi Kaeppel ’20 Ph.D., a graduate assistant with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; adjunct professor of philosophy at UConn Stamford and School of Business academic advisor Emma Björngard-Basayne ’15 MA, ’18 Ph.D.; and Grenier argue that workplaces that value and promote friendships can enhance the well-being of their workforce – to the benefits of both the individuals and the institutions.

We call them our colleagues, our peers, our mentors, or our coworkers – they are the people in our professional lives that also share in the details of our personal lives, who we associate with voluntarily, and who we trust with our thoughts, our experiences, and our fears.

Outside of work, we might call these relationships “friendships,” but it’s rarer to hear that particular f-word at the office – and the reason has to do with more than just semantics.

Miguel Cardona, Connecticut’s education commissioner and Neag School alumnus, is on a short list of candidates to become education secretary in the Biden administration. Politico reported Saturday that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has given its “enthusiastic endorsement” to Cardona in a letter to the President-elect. As The Mirror’s Jacqueline Rabe Thomas reported today, if he got the job, Cardona would be in charge of getting the majority of the nation’s students back into schools – something Biden has promised in his first 100 days.

Connecticut’s education commissioner and Neag School alumnus, Miguel A. Cardona, was introduced to a national political audience Wednesday evening as one of “two lesser-known educators” who have emerged as top candidates to join President-elect Joe Biden’s cabinet as the education secretary.

In her last message to students and families filling them in on the latest coronavirus cases and news, now-former interim schools superintendent JeanAnn Paddyfoote at once said goodbye, and welcomed Madison’s new schools chief Dr. Craig Cooke. Monday was his first day on the job.

As a former UConn women’s basketball player, Batouly Camara is no stranger to success. However, the 24-year old graduate is beginning to rack up awards and honors at a staggering pace as well. Camara was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 sports list, which highlights young people who are making a difference in their field. Camara was part of three Final Four teams with the Huskies, but made the list because of her work empowering women around the globe

Despite this chaotic, hard year, we want to know what you’re thankful for this year.