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Leadership in Motion: COE President Dr. Kirk Nooks Takes Strategic Engagement Nationwide to Deepen Educational Impact

May 21, 2025

The Council on Occupational Education (COE) proudly announces that President and CEO, Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, will begin a nationwide tour of COE-accredited institutions as part of the Council’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan. With scheduled visits beginning in New York (June 4–6, 2025) and San Francisco (June 27, 2025), Dr. Nooks will engage directly with students, faculty, administrators, and workforce leaders to better understand their unique needs and local challenges.

This multi-year initiative reflects COE’s deep commitment to maintaining the highest standards in occupational education—not from a distance, but through active listening and meaningful connection with its member institutions.

“This tour is about more than visibility,” said Dr. Nooks. “It’s about context, connection, and continuous improvement. By meeting our schools where they are, I aim to better understand the environments that shape their work—so COE can better support their mission to prepare students for success.”

The engagement tour reflects three primary goals:

  • Contextual Understanding: Listening firsthand to the lived experiences of students, faculty, and local stakeholders.
  • Connection & Support: Demonstrating that accreditation is a relationship-driven, quality-focused process—not just a compliance exercise.
  • Retention & Growth: Reinforcing COE’s commitment to current members while exploring opportunities to expand into new regions and serve additional institutions.

Dr. Nooks’ visits will highlight COE’s dedication to:

  • Strengthening relationships between accreditor and institution.
  • Elevating the voice of students and workforce partners in the accreditation process.
  • Addressing timely national themes including as workforce readiness, digital transformation, and equitable access to education.

This initiative also aligns with COE’s strategic plan to visit every member state or region by 2029, helping ensure that all voices are heard as the agency continues to evolve and grow.