COE Hosts Inaugural Regional Candidate Academy in Columbus, Ohio

The Council on Occupational Education (COE) successfully hosted its inaugural COE Regional Candidate Academy on January 13–14 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus in Columbus, Ohio. The two-day event welcomed eight participants representing several Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) institutions and convened ODRC Chief Administrators and Regional Principals for focused, hands-on training centered on the candidacy and accreditation preparation process.

The Regional Candidate Academy model expands access to prospective candidate institutions that may face travel limitations. By delivering Candidate Academy programming directly to the region, COE supports institutional leaders who cannot attend traditional sessions.

“Designed to emphasize practical application and preparedness for candidacy, the academy agenda featured sessions on Becoming a Candidate and Preparing for the Candidate Visit, complemented by two interactive workshops: a Mock Application Workshop and the Build-A-Timeline Workshop. Participants received guided instruction on navigating the Candidate for Accreditation application in EDvera (COE’s management system) and collaborated to develop customized accreditation preparation timelines aligned with Commission meeting dates and audit cycles.

“The academy was an excellent opportunity to meet and talk personally with COE staff,” said Kent Litzenberger, Regional Principal. “We also had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss our concerns in a small group basis.”

COE leadership noted that the inaugural Regional Candidate Academy represents both a strategic milestone and a tangible step toward strengthening institutional readiness for candidacy through accessible, high-impact training.

“The inaugural Regional Candidate Academy Conference in Columbus, Ohio represented an important milestone in the Council on Occupational Education’s Strategic Plan,” said Tangela Purifoy, Vice President of the Institutional Evaluations Department. “This conference marked a meaningful step in educating and empowering institutions through a shared understanding of our accreditation standards and expectations. Presenters clearly articulated COE’s commitment to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.”

“This Regional Candidate Academy was exciting to launch and demonstrated strength in both participation and outcomes,” added Monique Campbell, Director of Membership Services & Training and Dean of the Candidate Academy. “The format supported meaningful collaboration, networking, and engagement, while giving ODRC leaders direct access to COE staff and practical tools they can apply immediately. The sessions were intentionally designed to be informative, interactive, and creative—so participants left with clarity, momentum, and a realistic plan for next steps.”

COE looks forward to building on the success of this inaugural event, with additional Regional Candidate Academies planned to support institutions as they prepare for candidacy and progress through the accreditation process.