Council on Occupational Education Hosts Sold-Out Spring Candidate Academy in Atlanta

The Council on Occupational Education (COE) successfully hosted its 2025 Spring Candidate Academy on April 2–3 at the Kimpton Overland Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The highly anticipated event reached capacity two months prior, with all  registration spots filled and a waiting list of 15 institution, demonstrating a strong and growing demand for COE accreditation services.

This year’s Academy brought together 28 attendees from 13 states and one international institution from Kuwait, representing a broad spectrum of educational sectors. Of the attendees, 15 were from public institutions, 11 from non-public institutions, one from a federal entity, and one from a registered apprenticeship program. Collectively, these institutions offer diverse training programs in areas such as aviation, aesthetics, dental assisting, nursing, cosmetology, barbering, plumbing, and carpentry.

Monique Campbell, Director of Membership Services and Training, noted the Academy‘s energy and engagement: “There was a genuine spirit of collaboration and commitment to quality among attendees. The Academy clearly underscored that institutions see accreditation with COE as a vehicle to institutional excellence.”

Dr. Tangela Purifoy, Vice President of Evaluations, stated, “The Candidate Academy fostered a culture of collaboration, wherein institutions collectively learned they would uphold rigorous standards, and commit to the continuous enhancement of educational quality from being accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.”

The Council looks forward to continuing to support these institutions on their path to accreditation and welcomes continued interest in upcoming academies. The Fall Candidate Academy is scheduled for October 1–2, 2025, registration will open on May 15, 2025.

For more information, visit www.council.org.