Leadership in Motion: COE Tour Touches Down in New York City

As part of the Council on Occupational Education’s (COE) national Listening & Engagement Tour, President and CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks made impactful visits to three COE-accredited institutions in New York City from June 4–6, 2025.

 

His first stop was ACE Institute of Technology, where he reconnected with students and faculty, including COE Commissioner Amit Shorewala, who also serves as the institution’s president. The visit highlighted ACE’s deep commitment to providing cutting-edge career and technical training in healthcare, IT, and other high-demand sectors.

 

Dr. Nooks also visited Christine Valmy International School, a well-established institution in the beauty and wellness space, known for preparing students for successful careers in esthetics and cosmetology. These on-site engagements emphasized the value of hearing directly from those doing the work on the ground.

 

The final stop was Focus Personal Training Institute, an institution dedicated to excellence in fitness education. With a mission rooted in health, discipline, and career readiness, Focus PTI exemplifies how career training can empower students to lead in the growing personal wellness industry.

 

“This tour is not about observation—it’s about immersion,” said Dr. Nooks. “We’re reinforcing the idea that accreditation should be relationship-driven and responsive to the real needs of our institutions and their communities.”

 

The Listening & Engagement Tour aligns with COE’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, which calls for in-person visits to every region and member state by 2029. It’s a bold step toward reinforcing transparency, connection, and continuous improvement across the agency’s network of over 400 institutions.

 

Next up: San Francisco, CA from June 27 & 30, 2025—stay tuned as Dr. Nooks continues his mission to elevate the voices shaping the future of occupational education.