Council on Occupational Education President & CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks Selected for National Accreditor Leadership Roundtable

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation(CHEA), under the leadership of PresidentNasser H. Paydar, has launched a new national initiative, the Accreditor Leadership Roundtable, to strengthen collaboration, communication, and strategic engagement among accrediting organizations.

Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, President and CEO of the Council on Occupational Education, has been invited to serve as an inaugural participant in this distinguished forum, joining a select group of accreditor leaders from across the country.

The Roundtable, developed in collaboration with Selena M. Grace, President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, is designed to provide an ongoing space for accrediting leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on the evolving landscape of higher education. Additional contributors to the initiative’s development include Maria Toyoda of the WASC Senior College and University Commission and Heather Perfetti of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

As higher education faces increasing scrutiny, policy shifts, and public interest, the Roundtable aims to foster consistent communication and shared understanding among accrediting bodies. Participants will convene regularly to examine emerging challenges, exchange perspectives, and explore approaches that support institutional quality and student success.

“This invitation reflects the Council on Occupational Education’s continued commitment to advancing quality assurance and accountability in higher education,” said Nooks. “Engaging with fellow accreditor leaders through this forum provides an important opportunity to contribute to national conversations that shape the future of accreditation and, ultimately, student outcomes.”

The Accreditor Leadership Roundtable is structured as a non-governing, discussion-based forum. It does not serve as a decision-making body but instead emphasizes thought leadership, information sharing, and collaborative dialogue. Through ongoing engagement, the initiative seeks to strengthen public understanding of accreditation and support its continued evolution in a rapidly changing environment.

COE’s participation underscores its role as a key voice within the accreditation community and its dedication to ensuring institutional effectiveness and student achievement across the institutions it serves.

For more information and to view the full announcement, please visit: CHEA.org