Rod Paige

7th American Secretary of Education

Roderick Raynor "Rod" Paige (born June 17, 1933), served as the 7th United States Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve as the nation's education chief. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University in Mississippi and a Master's degree and an Ed.D from Indiana University Bloomington. He also holds an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Houston presented to him in 2000.

Rod Paige
7th United States Secretary of Education
In office
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2005
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byRichard Riley
Succeeded byMargaret Spellings
Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District
In office
1994–2001
Preceded byYvonne Gonzales (interim)
Succeeded byKaye Stripling (interim)
Personal details
Born (1933-06-17) June 17, 1933 (age 91)
Monticello, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Gloria Crawford
(m. 1956⁠–⁠1982)

Stephanie Nellons
Children1
EducationJackson State University (BA)
Indiana University Bloomington (MA, EdD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1955–1957

Paige was sitting with George W. Bush at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, when Bush received the news that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

On November 15, 2004, Paige announced his resignation after overseeing the President's education agenda for four years. White House domestic policy adviser Margaret Spellings was nominated as his successor. The U.S. Senate confirmed her on January 20, 2005 after Bush's inauguration for a second term.