Dr. Kirk A. Nooks Brings Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour to the Center for Service Support

The Council on Occupational Education continued its Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour on September 17, 2026, as President and CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks visited the Center for Service Support in Newport, Rhode Island.

As a federal institution serving the United States Navy, the Center for Service Support provides education and training through specialized schools that prepare personnel for critical roles across the service. Dr. Nooks’ visit offered an opportunity to connect directly with leadership and staff while gaining a firsthand look at the training taking place within two schools that operate under the Center for Service Support, the Naval Chaplaincy School and the Navy Supply Corps School.

During his time in Newport, Dr. Nooks visited the Naval Chaplaincy School, where he met with school leadership and staff and toured the facility. At the Navy Supply Corps School, he participated in a schoolhouse showcase focused on logistics and Supply officer training, followed by a facility walkthrough. The visit concluded with additional discussion and an opportunity for questions.

“We had a great time hosting Dr. Nooks this morning. He is the consummate gentleman and professional,” said Dana Chapin, Commanding Officer of the Center for Service Support.

The visit gave Dr. Nooks a closer look at how specialized education and training are delivered within the Center for Service Support and provided an opportunity to hear directly from the leaders and staff responsible for that work. Those conversations offered valuable insight into the programs, training environments, and day to day work taking place across the institution.

“There is something incredibly valuable about stepping into an institution and seeing its mission come to life,” said Dr. Nooks. “The Center for Service Support is a remarkable example of how specialized education, dedicated leadership, and purposeful training come together to prepare individuals for critical roles in service. Spending time with the leadership and staff, learning about their work, and seeing these training environments firsthand reinforced the significance of their mission and the impact of the work they do every day.”

For the Center for Service Support team, the visit also provided an opportunity to share its work directly with COE leadership.

“We loved having Dr. Nooks visit!” said Jessica D. Nilsson, Public Affairs Officer at the Center for Service Support.

Presidential Leadership in Motion brings COE leadership closer to the people, programs, and training shaping the future of career and technical education. Through direct engagement with member institutions, the initiative provides greater insight into how education and training are being delivered and creates opportunities for institutional leaders and staff to share their experiences, successes, and perspectives directly with COE leadership.

The Newport visit reflects COE’s continued commitment to remaining connected to its member institutions and understanding their work beyond the accreditation process. By seeing programs in action and engaging with the professionals responsible for delivering them, COE leadership gains perspective that can inform conversations about quality, institutional needs, and the evolving landscape of career and technical education.