Mick Zais

Mitchell McGeever “Mick” Zais is an American educator and former military officer who served as the acting United States Secretary of Education during the transition between the Trump and Biden administrations. Born in 1946, he earned advanced degrees from West Point, the University of Washington, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College before a distinguished career that spanned active duty service, higher‑education leadership, state educational administration, and federal government roles.

Early life and career

Zais entered the world on December 10, 1946, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He continued his studies at the University of Washington, where he obtained both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in social psychology and organizational behavior. Furthering his military education, Zais earned a Master of Arts in military history from the School of Advanced Military Studies at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

During his time in the United States Army, Zais held a variety of command and staff positions across multiple theaters. He served with infantry units in Vietnam, the United States, and Korea, commanding two rifle companies, an infantry battalion, and a light infantry brigade. His responsibilities expanded to include deputy commanding general duties at Fort Riley, Kansas, and leadership roles within the Pentagon, where he acted as Chief of War Plans. Zais also served as an assistant professor at West Point for three years, teaching courses in organizational behavior, leadership, and management consulting.

His operational experience extended beyond conventional combat assignments. Zais worked as a White House aide and later as executive assistant to the four‑star commander overseeing all U.S. forces in Central and South America while stationed in Panama. In Kuwait, he commanded U.S. and Allied forces, and he led Operation Provide Refuge, a task force that cared for 4,000 Kosovo refugees who entered the United States. His final military assignment was as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, overseeing the administration of the reserve component’s personnel and resources. At retirement, Zais held the rank of Brigadier General.

Zais’s military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal; the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Air Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Humanitarian Service Medal; and various badges such as Ranger, Airborne, and Combat Infantryman. He also received the South Carolina Meritorious Service Medal.

After leaving active duty, Zais transitioned to higher‑education administration. In August 2000 he became president of Newberry College in South Carolina. During his decade at the institution, enrollment and endowment grew substantially; by its final years under his leadership, the college was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best colleges. Zais stepped down from the presidency in June 2010, shortly before launching a campaign for state superintendent of education.

Cabinet tenure

Zais entered statewide politics in 2010, running for South Carolina Superintendent of Education. He secured the Republican nomination after winning the primary and defeating Elizabeth Moffly in a runoff. In the general election he faced Democrat Frank Holleman, Libertarian Tim Moultrie, and two minor‑party candidates, ultimately receiving 51 % of the vote. His tenure as superintendent, from 2011 to 2015, was marked by several policy positions. He opposed the implementation of the Common Core State Standards Initiative in South Carolina and withdrew the state’s participation in the federal Race to the Top grant competition. Zais also supported granting the governor authority to appoint the state superintendent, a practice that had been used by both his predecessor and successor. By the end of his term, the state’s on‑time high school graduation rate surpassed 80 %, an all‑time high for South Carolina.

In October 2017, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Zais as United States Deputy Secretary of Education. The Senate confirmed him by a vote of 50–48 on May 16, 2018. As deputy secretary, he served under Secretary Betsy DeVos until her resignation on January 7, 2021, following the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Zais became acting Secretary of Education on January 8, 2021, and held that position until January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden nominated Phil Rosenfelt to serve in an acting capacity until Miguel Cardona’s Senate confirmation.

Beyond his federal service, Zais remained active in public life. In June 2023 he publicly endorsed Tim Scott for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In September 2025, he was named government relations chair for the Boston 2026 World Expo. His earlier civic engagement included serving as president of the American Philatelic Society from August 2016 until his appointment as deputy secretary in May 2018; upon taking federal office he resigned from all boards and other employment.

Legacy

Zais’s career spans military leadership, higher‑education administration, state educational policy, and federal government service. His progression from a West Point graduate to a brigadier general reflects extensive experience in command, staff planning, and humanitarian operations. In academia, his decade as president of Newberry College is noted for significant growth in enrollment, endowment, and national recognition.

As South Carolina Superintendent of Education, Zais’s opposition to the Common Core initiative and withdrawal from the Race to the Top competition positioned him within a broader debate over federal standards and state autonomy. The increase in on‑time graduation rates during his tenure is often cited as an indicator of progress in the state’s public education system.

At the federal level, Zais’s brief role as acting Secretary of Education placed him at the center of a critical transition period between administrations. His confirmation as deputy secretary by a narrow Senate vote underscores the bipartisan nature of many educational appointments during that era. Subsequent endorsements and leadership roles in civic organizations demonstrate his continued engagement with public affairs beyond formal government service.

Overall, Zais’s multifaceted career illustrates a trajectory from military service to influential positions within education at both state and national levels, reflecting a blend of operational expertise, administrative acumen, and policy influence.