Former LMSD Superintendent Confirmed As PA Education Secretary

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The former Lower Merion School District Superintendent Khalid N. Mumin has officially been named the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Mumin, who joined the district in 2021 before being tapped as the secretary of education, was confirmed earlier this week.

"I am elated to have earned the trust and confidence to serve in this position and ensure every child in Pennsylvania receives a quality education," Mumin said. "I would not be here today without the teachers and mentors who supported me. Our schools are more than buildings: they are conduits of hope. I will take the experiences I have gained through my life and career to carry out Governor Shapiro’s vision so that every Pennsylvania student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed."

Prior to joining the Lower Merion School District, Mumin was the superintendent at the Reading School District, a position he held since 2014.

He also served as superintendent at in Caroline County Public Schools in Maryland before that.

Other educational roles he's taken include Director of Elementary Education and middle school principal in the Centennial School District and as a middle school principal in New Hope-Solebury in Bucks County. He began his career teaching language arts and secondary English.

A Philadelphia native, Mumin earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, his Master’s Degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Penn State and his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Shippensburg, after earning an Associate’s Degree in the Liberal Arts from Northeastern Christian Junior College.

According to Gov. Josh Shapiro's office, Mumin since January has:

• Convened a working group of college and university presidents to develop meaningful reforms to Pennsylvania’s higher education system;
• participated in a roundtable with Governor Shapiro and Allentown students for a conversation on Black Mental Health;
• launched a new CTE program to prepare students for careers in education;
• awarded more than $8 million in competitive Safe Schools Targeted grants to 166 schools to improve school safety;
• awarded $6.7 million in grant funding to 100 schools to enable more high school students to enroll in dual credit programs;
• invested more than $4.1 million in funding for 21 libraries in 15 counties for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities;
• announced more than $2.7 million in grant funding to 130 local education agencies to purchase new food service equipment for cafeterias;
• awarded $1.5 million in grant funding to 15 universities that will partner with school districts to expedite the process to become a special education teacher.

"I am firm in my belief that students learn in different ways, and highly effective educators are leaders who ignite learners’ interest, passion, and focus on meeting high expectations in all educational settings," Mumin said. "As Secretary of Education, I will remain committed to supporting education systems with resources and information to provide instruction that is high-quality, engaging, and aligned with the needs of the workforce of the future."