Dr. Khalid Mumin picked to be new state secretary of education

Jan. 9—A face familiar to Berks and Montgomery counties is set to take on a leading role in Harrisburg.

Dr. Khalid Mumin, current Lower Merion School District superintendent and former Reading School District superintendent, has been nominated by Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro to be the state's secretary of education.

Mumin will need to be confirmed by the state Senate for the role after Shapiro officially takes office on Jan. 17.

"It is an honor to serve Governor-elect Shapiro and the people of Pennsylvania as secretary of education and help him carry out his vision so every child in Pennsylvania — regardless of race, class or ZIP code — receives a quality education and the opportunity to shape their own future," Mumin said in a statement announcing the nomination. "For over 25 years, I have served as a teacher, dean of students, principal and school superintendent, and I know firsthand what it takes to move our education system forward."

The statement says Mumin's priorities will be to fully fund schools, make students' mental health a priority and empower parents and guardians to ensure their children receive a quality education.

Mumin took the reins of Lower Merion in October 2021 after serving as superintendent in Reading for just over seven years. He was named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year in 2021 by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and was a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year.

Mumin's nomination received praise from the state's largest teachers union.

"Governor-elect Shapiro has made an outstanding choice for Pennsylvania's secretary of education," Pennsylvania State Education Association President Rich Askey said in a written statement. "Khalid Mumin has spent his entire career teaching and serving students. He is an extraordinary leader and a committed educator, and there is no doubt that his talents, experience and enthusiasm will make him an excellent secretary."

Askey also said Mumin is a good selection because of his unique experience leading both an urban, financially challenged district like Reading and a wealthy, suburban district like Lower Merion.

"This experience ensures that he understands the challenges that different kinds of school districts and their students face and that he'll be able to hit the ground running," he said. "We look forward to working with Dr. Mumin to ensure that every student in every one of Pennsylvania's public schools gets the best possible education."

Mumin was one of three Cabinet nominations Shapiro announced Monday.

Nancy Walker was nominated to serve as secretary of labor and industry, and Neil Weaver was nominated to serve as secretary of administration.

"I'm proud to nominate Dr. Khalid Mumin, Nancy Walker and Neil Weaver to key Cabinet posts in my administration — they are important members of the diverse and experienced team of Pennsylvania leaders and policy experts who will be joining my administration to tackle the challenges facing our commonwealth today," Shapiro said in the announcement statement. "I am ready to work with all three of them to create real opportunities for our children, build an economy that works for everyone, improve our schools and lead the commonwealth's more than 75,000 employees.

"With these accomplished public servants in my Cabinet, we will be ready to get to work to meet this moment and move our commonwealth forward."