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 official who has worked in education and the military. He was the acting United States Secretary of Education for a short time. Before that, he was the top education leader for the state of South Carolina.
Mr. Zais also served as the president of Newberry College for ten years. Earlier in his career, he was a high-ranking officer, a Brigadier General, in the United States Army.
On January 7, 2021, the Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, resigned. Because Mick Zais was the deputy secretary, he became the acting secretary. He held this important role until January 20, 2021.
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Early Life and Education
Mick Zais was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He studied engineering at West Point, which is a famous military academy. He also earned advanced degrees from the University of Washington. These degrees were in social psychology and how organizations work. He also studied military history at a special Army college.
Career
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, helping to plan for wars.
Zais taught leadership and management at West Point for three years. He also worked at the White House and helped lead U.S. forces in Central and South America. In Kuwait, he was in charge of U.S. and allied forces. He also led a group that helped 4,000 refugees from Kosovo who came to the United States. When he retired, Zais was a Brigadier General.
He received many awards for his military service. These include the Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star. He also earned special badges like the Ranger and Combat Infantryman's Badges.
Newberry College
In August 2000, Zais became the president of Newberry College. During his ten years there, the number of students and the college's funds almost doubled. The college also started new study programs, like forensic chemistry and nursing.
For three years while he was president, U.S. News & World Report named Newberry College one of America's best colleges. He retired in June 2010 to run for a new job in education.
South Carolina Superintendent of Education
2010 Election and Tenure
Mick Zais ran for the job of South Carolina Superintendent of Education. This person is in charge of all public schools in the state. He won the election in November 2010.
As Superintendent, Zais did not support the Common Core State Standards Initiative in South Carolina. These are guidelines for what students should learn. He also pulled the state out of a federal education program called "Race to the Top."
Zais believed the state's Governor should choose the Superintendent of Education. By the end of his time in office, South Carolina's high school graduation rates reached a new high. Over 80% of students finished high school in four years. Zais decided not to run for re-election in 2014.
U.S. Department of Education
In October 2017, President Donald Trump announced he wanted Zais to be the United States Deputy Secretary of Education. The United States Senate approved his nomination in May 2018.
After Betsy DeVos resigned as Secretary of Education in January 2021, Zais became the acting secretary. He held this position until January 20, 2021. Later, 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 Miss South Carolina USA in 2007. His father, Melvin Zais, was also a high-ranking general in the United States Army.
