President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks Represents COE at Two National Education Forums

Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, President and CEO of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), recently served as a featured panelist at two national convenings focused on the future of postsecondary education, accreditation, and workforce readiness.

On October 2, Dr. Nooks participated in The Accreditor Panel at the 41st Annual California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) Conference in San Diego, California. Hosted at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, the conference was held under the theme “Strive to Thrive,” emphasizing resilience, regulatory alignment, and growth among career education institutions. The accreditor panel brought together agency leaders to discuss quality assurance, institutional accountability, and evolving expectations for postsecondary providers in a changing workforce and policy landscape.

Just weeks earlier, on September 9, Dr. Nooks was a featured panelist at the 2025 Higher Ed Seminar: Rural Education Agenda in Detroit, Michigan, hosted by the Education Writers Association. The session, titled “Rural Colleges: The Economic Engine of Rural Communities,” explored the essential role rural institutions play as workforce hubs, economic catalysts, and cultural anchors. The panel addressed enrollment shifts, economic fragility, policy needs, and opportunities for innovation across rural communities.

Across both engagements, Dr. Nooks drew on more than 25 years of leadership in education to spotlight the importance of partnerships, accreditation standards, and access to opportunity.

“Whether in rural towns or metropolitan regions, institutions of higher learning are anchors of economic strength, social mobility, and community identity,” said Dr. Nooks. “Both panels provided an important space to support institutions in meeting quality standards and adapting to the needs of today’s learners, helping entire communities thrive. Discussions in accreditation circles and in national policy forums highlight that the future of workforce education depends on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to student success.”