Trump Appoints Penny Schwinn: What Her New Role Means for Education Policy

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Penny Schwinn for the position of deputy secretary of education. She previously led Tennessee’s Department of Education for five years and is now part of Trump’s efforts to finalize his Cabinet ahead of Inauguration Day.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump highlighted Schwinn’s impressive track record. He noted her dedication to improving education for children and families and mentioned her support for school choice. Trump emphasized that Schwinn aims to bring education responsibility back to individual states, which he believes is essential for achieving the American Dream for future generations.

Schwinn’s nomination will need Senate approval. If confirmed, she will work alongside Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for secretary of education, whose confirmation hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Schwinn has extensive experience in the education field. She served as Tennessee’s commissioner of education, where she introduced the state’s first school choice program. Her time in office also included managing the education system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Schwinn has been vice president for K-12 education at the University of Florida. She earned degrees from respected institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins University, and Claremont Graduate University.

Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee publicly endorsed Schwinn’s nomination, expressing his support on X. He described her as a strong choice to advance Trump’s education agenda, particularly in promoting school choice and empowering states.

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