Mick Zais facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mick Zais
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Official portrait, 2018
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| Acting United States Secretary of Education | |
| In office January 8, 2021 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Betsy DeVos |
| Succeeded by | Phil Rosenfelt (acting) |
| United States Deputy Secretary of Education | |
| In office May 17, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jim Shelton |
| Succeeded by | Cindy Marten |
| South Carolina Superintendent of Education | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – January 13, 2015 |
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| Governor | Nikki Haley |
| Preceded by | Jim Rex |
| Succeeded by | Molly Spearman |
| President of Newberry College | |
| In office 2000–2010 |
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| Preceded by | John Hudgens |
| Succeeded by | Scott Koerwer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mitchell McGeever Zais
December 10, 1946 Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) University of Washington (MS, PhD) United States Army Command and General Staff College (MA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
Mitchell McGeever "Mick" Zais (born December 10, 1946) is an American leader who has worked in education and the military. He served as a high-ranking general in the United States Army. Later, he became the president of a college. He also led the public school system in South Carolina.
From 2018 to 2021, Mick Zais was the United States Deputy Secretary of Education. This means he was the second-in-command for education in the entire country. In January 2021, the Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, resigned. Mick Zais then became the acting Secretary of Education for a short time. He held this important role until a new Secretary was chosen.
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Early Life and School
Mick Zais was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He went to the United States Military Academy at West Point. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
He continued his studies at the University of Washington. He earned two advanced degrees there. These were a Master of Science and a doctorate in social psychology. He also earned a Master of Arts in military history. This degree was from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
Mick Zais's Career
Mick Zais has had a long and varied career. He served in the military for many years. After that, he moved into leadership roles in education.
Military Service
During his time in the military, Zais served in many different places. He was in Vietnam, the United States, and Korea. He led different groups of soldiers, from small companies to larger brigades. He also worked at the Pentagon, which is the headquarters for the U.S. military. There, he was the Chief of War Plans.
Zais also taught at West Point for three years. He taught subjects like leadership and how organizations work. He was an aide at the White House. He also served in Panama and Kuwait, leading U.S. and allied forces.
One of his important roles was leading Operation Provide Refuge. This was a special group that helped 4,000 refugees from Kosovo who came to the United States. Before he retired, Zais was a Brigadier General. This is a very high rank in the Army.
Leading Newberry College
In August 2000, Mick Zais became the president of Newberry College. This is a college located in South Carolina. During his ten years there, the number of students almost doubled. The college also added new study programs. These included forensic chemistry and nursing.
Under his leadership, Newberry College was recognized as one of America's best colleges. This recognition came from U.S. News & World Report. He retired from the college in June 2010.
South Carolina Education Leader
After leaving Newberry College, Mick Zais decided to run for a public office. He wanted to become the South Carolina Superintendent of Education. This person is in charge of all the public schools in the state.
2010 Election
Zais ran as a Republican candidate. He won the election in November 2010. He received 51% of the votes.
Time as Superintendent
Mick Zais served as the South Carolina Superintendent of Education from 2011 to 2015. During his time, he worked on several important issues. He did not support the Common Core State Standards Initiative for South Carolina schools. He also supported the idea that the state's Governor should choose the Superintendent of Education.
By the end of his term, South Carolina's high school graduation rates reached a new high. More than 80% of students were finishing high school on time. Zais decided not to run for re-election in 2014. Molly Mitchell Spearman was elected as the next Superintendent.
U.S. Department of Education
In October 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he wanted Mick Zais to be the United States Deputy Secretary of Education. The United States Senate approved his nomination in May 2018.
As Deputy Secretary, Zais worked closely with the Secretary of Education. When Secretary Betsy DeVos resigned in January 2021, Mick Zais stepped in. He became the acting Secretary of Education on January 8, 2021. He served in this role until January 20, 2021. At that time, President Joe Biden nominated a new acting Secretary.
In June 2023, Zais supported Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election.
Personal Life
Mick Zais has a daughter named Ashley. She was crowned Miss South Carolina USA in 2007. His father, Melvin Zais, was also a very high-ranking general in the United States Army. He was a four-star general.
