Betsy DeVos is a leader, an innovator, a disruptor, and a champion for freedom. She is the nation’s leading advocate for education freedom for students of all ages, having served as the 11th U.S. Secretary of Education from 2017-2021. For more than three decades, she has been tireless in her pursuit of public policy reforms that get government out of the way and allow all students the freedom, flexibility, resources and support they need to choose where, when and how they learn. Her advocacy has helped create new educational choices for K-12 students in more than 25 states and the District of Columbia and expanded post-high school education options for students and adult learners alike.
Betsy is also an accomplished business leader. She served as Chairman of The Windquest Group, a privately held investment and management firm based in Michigan. She is the former chair of the American Federation for Children, The Philanthropy Roundtable, and the Michigan Republican Party. Betsy is a graduate of Calvin College and is married to entrepreneur, philanthropist and community activist Dick DeVos. Together, they have four children and thirteen grandchildren.
leadership positions
In education, in business, and in politics, Betsy has been a pioneer in fighting to remove barriers, to enact change, and to create environments where people have the opportunity to thrive. Leadership positions held include:
Chairman of American Federation for Children (2009 to 2016)
Chairman Alliance for School Choice (2009 to 2016)
Board Member, ArtPrize (2009 to 2016)
Chairman of the Windquest Group (1993 to 2016)
President, The Windquest Group (1993 to 1997)
Board of Trustees, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2004 to 2010)
Board Member, Mars Hill Bible Church (2002 to 2014)
National Leadership Team, Kids Hope USA (2001 to 2014)
Chairman, Great Lakes Education Project (2001 to 2008)
Chairman, Michigan Republican Party (1996 to 2000 & 2003 to 2005)
Board of Directors, Acton Institute (1995 to 2005)
Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (1993 to 1996; 2001 to TBD)
Explore Betsy’s three decades of work fighting for educational opportunity for every student and learn more about the work she did to improve American education as secretary.
June 30, 2022
Betsy’s book “Hostages No More” becomes a National Best Seller
November 3, 2021
Discusses Gov. Youngkin’s win in Virginia and calls it “a big warning shot across the bow to Democrats” on The Story with Martha McCallum
October 22, 2021
Pens op-ed for FoxNews.com called “Our nation’s Report Card is in, and it’s bad. All students need education freedom right now.”
October 10, 2021
Calls DOJ memo likening parents to domestic terrorists a “shameless attempt to silence and intimidate” on The Story with Martha McCallum
August 10, 2021
Says parents, not politicians, should decide whether their kids wear a mask at school in an interview on Fox News Channel’s America’s Newsroom.
June 12, 2021
Pens op-ed for the New York Post called Let’s liberate kids from race indoctrination — with school choice
May 11, 2021
Rejects the union’s defense of 1619 curriculum and says unions playing politics with kids’ lives by keeping school closed during COVID-19 pandemic.
January 15, 2021
The Wall Street Journal praises four years of work “to the benefit of American students”
October 20, 2020
Inside Higher Ed shares the results of a report uncovering $6.5 billion in unreported foreign gifts and contracts to colleges and universities from countries like China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Russia
September 17, 2020
Video remarks on the enduring importance of understanding America’s Constitution, filmed at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
September 17, 2020
The Washington Examiner praises an investigation launched into Princeton’s self-admission of being a systemically “racist” institution
September 1, 2020
Sends a message to America’s parents on the need to get back to normal and back to school
August 4, 2020
Publishes “Distance Learning and Innovation” regulation, which expanded options students have access to high-quality remote learning options
July 8, 2020
Hosts White House Coronavirus task force meeting at the U.S. Department of Education
July 7, 2020
White House Dialogue on Safely Reopening America’s Schools
June 30, 2020
The New York Times publishes a statement made about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of school choice in Espinoza v Montana
June 19, 2020
Announces the Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grant Program
May 6, 2020
The New York Times heralds the publishing of a historic final Title IX rule restoring due process rights and protecting survivors of sexual violence
April 27, 2020
Creates two grant competitions worth $307.5 million for states to use to create adaptable, innovative learning opportunities for K-12 and postsecondary learners in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.
April 24, 2020
The Hill reports on expansion of the Second Chance Pell experiment to 67 new institutions
April 23, 2020
Makes $13.2 billion available under the CARES Act Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund, to use for immediate needs, such as tools and resources for distance education, ensuring student health and safety, and developing and implementing plans for the next school year
April 22, 2020
Demands elite colleges and universities reject federal funding assistance
April 9, 2020
Announces $6.2 billion was available for colleges and universities to provide students direct emergency cash grants for course materials, technology, food, housing, health care, and childcare
April 6, 2020
Announces states can repurpose existing K-12 education funds for technology infrastructure and teacher training on distance learning, among other flexibilities to move resources to areas of highest need
April 1, 2020
Marks Second Chance Pell month by providing commencement remarks at the Dick Conner Correctional Center Second Chance Pell Graduation
March 26, 2020
The Daily Collegian reports on Penn State being held accountable for failure to protect students from Jerry Sandusky and address their sexual abuse complaints
March 25, 2020
Announces the Department would stop collection actions and wage garnishments for federal student loan borrowers
March 20, 2020
US News reports on the relief provided to millions of borrowers by suspending federally held student loan payments and setting interest rates at 0%
February 28, 2020
Forms internal COVID-19 task force at U.S. Department of Education
February 27, 2020
The New York Times reports on USC being held accountable for “systemic failures” in its response to abuse allegations against a former gynecologist, George Tyndall
February 10, 2020
Proposes reducing federal control over education by block granting federal education funding directly to states
February 5, 2020
Welcomes Janiyah Davis as special guest for the State of the Union, where President Trump calls on Congress to pass Education Freedom Scholarships
January 22, 2020
SCOTUS Blog reports on the attending oral arguments at the Supreme Court in the landmark Espinoza v. Montana education freedom case
December 31, 2019
Releases video looking back on a successful 2019
December 19, 2019
Advocates for FAFSA simplification and permanent funding for HBCUs which Congress passes on 12/19
December 13, 2019
Provides remarks at the Committee for Economic Development
December 13, 2019
American Enterprise Institute host event with Betsy and Kellyanne Conway on the benefits of the Education Freedom Scholarships Proposal
December 5, 2019
Announces new customer-centric reforms to student loan servicing at the Federal Student Aid Annual Conference
December 5, 2019
Delivers speech on education freedom at ALEC in Arizona
December 4, 2019
Proposes FSA become stand-alone entity run by board of governors in order to avoid the political whims of Congress and shore up the student loan portfolio
November 20, 2019
Updates The College Scorecard so that students can see how much debt they can expect to take on and how much they can expect to earn based on their chosen field of study
November 14, 2019
Honored as the Independent Women’s Forum’s 2019 Woman of Valor
September 20, 2019
Visits Detroit Edison Public Charter School, Detroit, Michigan, one of the top-performing charter schools in the state
September 19, 2019
Visits Great Lakes Maritime Academy to tour their hands-on learning center, Traverse City, Michigan
September 18, 2019
Visits E Prep & Village Prep Cliffs Campus, an innovative charter school in Cleveland, OH
September 17, 2019
Visits Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute to highlight a unique second chance education opportunity Cleveland, OH
September 17, 2019
Visits MC2 STEM Academy at the Cleveland Science Center, Cleveland, OH
September 17, 2019
Visits Purdue Polytechnic Institute in Indianapolis to highlight project-based learning model
September 16, 2019
Visits St. Marcus Lutheran School, Milwaukee, WI the birthplace of Education Freedom
September 16, 2019
Embarks on third Rethink School Tour
September 12, 2019
Holds Chicago Public Schools accountable for years of unreported sexual abuse
September 10, 2019
Issues record-high $4.5 million fine against Michigan State University for failure to protect students from Larry Nassar
August 21, 2019
Travels to Kentucky with President Trump to announce loan forgiveness for injured veterans
June 13, 2019
Launches investigation into failure to report foreign donations at Georgetown University and Texas A&M.
Investigation expands to 17 additional colleges and universities over the next 19 months. Read more in Inside Higher Ed.
May 20, 2019
Announces new, expanded Federal work study program to include off campus employment, apprenticeships and clinical rotations and intention to expand Second Chance Pell
May 1, 2019
Awarded Manhattan Institute Hamilton Award
March 25, 2019
Launches investigation into eight universities tied to the sweeping college admissions and bribery scandal
February 28, 2019
Introduces Education Freedom Scholarships proposal which provides tax-credit scholarships to millions of children so they can find the right fit for their education
December 18, 2019
Releases Federal Commission on School Safety report which provides a menu of best practices for keeping kids safe at school
November 27, 2018
Raises red flag of warning about the ballooning and unsustainable $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio
October 5, 2018
Visits Edward Hynes Charter School and the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana
October 4, 2018
Visits Holmes County Consolidated School District in Mississippi where students in a rural part of the state can access AP Physics classes via online learning and tutoring
October 4, 2018
Visits Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
October 3, 2018
Delivers Rethink School speech at NASA Marshall Space Center, Huntsville, Alabama
October 3, 2018
Visits Georgia Institute of Technology to learn more about their program to make college more accessible and to help student succeed through graduation
October 3, 2018
Embarks on second Rethink School Tour
June 31, 2018
Advocates for passage of updated Perkins Career and Technical Education law which expands educational opportunities for all students to find their fit after high school and earn valuable credentials in high-demand fields
June 5, 2018
SXSW Launches Rethink Higher Education Challenge at SXSW and encourages innovation and creative thinking in preparing students for success in the 21st century.
March 12, 2018
Launches the Federal School Safety Commission following the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida
February 26, 2018
Launches systemic investigation into Michigan State University’s handling of Larry Nassar sexual assault complaints
December 22, 2017
Works with Congress to pass an expansion of 529 college savings plans to allows parents to save tax-free for K-12 expenses
November 29, 2017
Announces plans to launch a first-of-its-kind mobile app so students can more easily access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
November 8, 2017
Visits Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assess hurricane recovery
September 27, 2017
Rescinds discriminatory Title IX Dear Colleague Letter and begins work to rewrite Title IX rules to protect all students
September 2017
Visits Gary Middle College and 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Indiana, Hope Charter, and Eastern Hancock Indiana for a hog roast and football game
September 2017
Visits Johnson County Community College in Missouri
September 2017
Visits Kansas City Academy
September 2017
Visits Nelson Mandela Elementary School, St. Mary’s Catholic School and Lincoln Public Schools Science Focus Program in Nebraska
September 2017
Visits Firefly Autism Center in Colorado following the Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Supreme Court Case
September 2017
First “Rethink School Tour” kicks off in Casper, Wyoming, at Woods Learning Center—a “teacher powered” school
September 7, 2017
Gives speech on the need for Title IX reform at George Mason University
September 7, 2017
Announces intention to rescind the Obama Administration’s Title IX Dear Colleague Letter which eschewed due process protections and created Kangaroo Courts on colleges campuses
August 17, 2017
Speaks out against abhorrent, racist demonstration at University of Virginia
July 13, 2017
Holds Title IX listening sessions to hear from survivors of sexual assault, the falsely accused, and college administrators
May 2017
Advocates Congress should restore year-round Pell in omnibus; passes on May 2, 2017
February 28, 2017
Attends President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress with guest Denisha Merriweather who benefitted from school choice policies in Florida
February 10, 2017
Physically blocked from entering a D.C. public school
Read more about this event in the Washington Post and watch the video from the Washington Post.
February 9, 2017
First school visit as Secretary to Howard University, a leading HBCU
February 8, 2017
Walks every floor of the U.S. Department of Education building
February 7, 2017
Confirmed 11th U.S. Secretary of Education
November 23, 2016
Nominated to be 11th U.S. Secretary of Education
March 17, 2016
Works with Sen. John McCain to introduce bill to improve quality of education available to Native American students through school
October 21, 2015
Works with Speaker John Boehner, bipartisan Congressional leaders to re-authorize the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship
March 11, 2015
Addresses South by Southwest (SXSW), saying, “We must revolutionize our education delivery system in America.”
2014
Selected as Board Member, Philanthropy Roundtable (2014 to 2016)
2012
Selected as Board Member, Foundation for Excellence in Education (2012 to 2016)
2011
Helps pass school choice legislation in a then-record setting 11 states
2010
Joins as Board Member, DeVos Institute for Arts Management (2010 to 2016)
2009
Joins as Board Member, ArtPrize (2009 to 2016)
2009
Joins as Chairman of the Alliance for School Choice (2009 to 2016)
2009
Named Chairman of American Federation for Children (2009 to 2016)
2004
Appointed by President George W. Bush to the Board of Trustees, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2004 to 2010)
2003
Named Trust Fund Board Member, Library of Congress (2003 to 2008)
2002
Joins as Board Member, Mars Hill Bible Church (2002 to 2014)
2001
Joins the Board of Directors, American Education Reform Council (2001 to 2004)
2001
Joins the Board of Directors, Compass Arts (2001 to 2016)
2001
Elected Chairman, Choices for Children (2001 to 2002)
2001
Joins as Finance Co-Chairman, Restoring the American Dream
2001
Joins the National Leadership Team, Kids Hope USA (2001 to 2014)
2001
Joins as Chairman, Great Lakes Education Project (2001 to 2008)
February 2, 2000
Resigns as Michigan Republican Party Chair
2000
Ballot referendum launches to bring school choice to Michigan and eliminate its bigoted Blaine Amendment.
2000
Named Finance Chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee
August 1999
Kids First! Yes! ballot initiative in Michigan launches
1999
Dick & Betsy’s Education Freedom Fund receives 64,000 applications for 4,000 scholarships
1998
Becomes Chairman of The Windquest Group (1998 to 2016)
1998
Joins as Board Member, Children First America (1998 to 2004)
1997
Joins as Trustee, Board of Directors, James Madison Center for Free Speech (1997 to 2012)
1996
Elected as National Co-Chairman, Of the People (1996 to 1998)
1996
Elected as Chairman, Michigan Republican Party (1996 to 2000 & 2003 to 2005)
1995
Joins as Board of Directors, Action Institute (1995 to 2005); Treasurer (1997 to 2005)
1995
Joins as Board Member, American Council of Young Political Leaders (1995 to 2003)
1995
Joins as Co-Chariman, Heartbeat Fundraiser for the American Heart Association (1995 to 2002)
January 14, 1994
Governor John Engler signs Michigan’s charter school law to create 150 charter schools.
1994
Joins as Member of the Potter’s House Advisory Board (1994 to 2016)
1994
Joins as Member of the Michigan International Year of the Family Council
1994
Joins as Chairman of the Spence Abraham for U.S. Senate Committee
1993
Named President of The Windquest Group (1993 to 1997)
1993
Founds the Education Freedom Fund to give scholarships to low-income families in Michigan
1993
Advocates for passage of law creating charter schools in Michigan
1993
Chairman of the Stow Company (1993 to 2004)
1993
Joins the President’s Advisory Council, Calvin College (1993 to 1995)
1993
Joins Board of Directors, Grand Rapids Economic Club (1993 to 1998) General member (1993 to Present)
1992
Joins Board of Trustees, Ada Christian School (1992 to 1995)
1992
Elected as Republican National Committee Woman (1992 to 1997)
1986
Discovers The Potter’s House while searching for a Kindergarten for her oldest son Rick.
This becomes the catalyst for a life-long commitment to ensuring all children have the freedom and resources to find the right fit for their education, no matter their background or parents’ income. During this year Dick and Betsy begin sponsoring children to attend the Potter’s House. Learn more.
October 17, 1979
President Jimmy Carter creates U.S. Department of Education and the NEA becomes the single most powerful special interest in the Democratic Party
May 1979
Graduates from Calvin College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics
February 24, 1979
Marries Dick Devos
1976
Volunteers as a Scatter-blitzer for Gerald Ford’s presidential campaign
1974
Works 3rd shift at Dad’s plant as a riveter (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
1971
Prince Manufacturing released the first lighted sun visor mirror
1972-1975
Percussionist in the Holland Christian Marching Band
1969
Works in aunt and uncle’s greenhouse
1965
Dad, Edgar Prince, starts Prince Manufacturing Company by mortgaging the house and finding investors
January 8, 1958
Born in Holland, Michigan to Elsa and Edgar Prince
1956
Betsy’s mother, Elsa Prince, teaching
