Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour Continues with Impactful Visits to Louisiana

President and CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks continued the Council on Occupational Education’s (COE) Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour with two dynamic institutional visits across Louisiana, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to student success, institutional excellence, and meaningful engagement with its member institutions.

 

The tour commenced on March 16, 2026, at Delta College of Arts & Technology in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During his visit, Dr. Nooks engaged with institutional leadership, including Comelia Jackson Pounds, Vice Chair of the COE Commission; Billy L. Clark, President of Delta College and member of COE’s Commission Review Committee; Dr. Christian Vige, Chair of COE’s Council Committee on Accreditation Standards and Conditions; and Carol Hasegawa, Director of Accreditation at Delta College.

 

“It was a privilege to welcome Dr. Kirk Nooks to campus and provide a firsthand look at our nursing and allied health programs,” said Comelia Jackson Pounds, Vice Chair of the COE Commission. “His visit exemplifies the kind of partnership that truly matters in occupational education—one where the accrediting body is not distant but actively engaged in the realities of frontline instruction.

 

“At Delta, we value an accreditation agency that understands and recognizes the rigor, responsiveness, and hands-on training required to prepare today’s healthcare workforce. Dr. Nooks’ commitment to experiencing our programs at the ground level reinforces our shared mission: to ensure students are not only educated but fully equipped to serve with excellence from day one.”

 

The visit underscored COE’s dedication to fostering direct, strategic dialogue with its member institutions. Dr. Nooks participated in conversations with students across various programs, observed a nursing skills demonstration, and led a dynamic panel discussion that highlighted the transformative impact of high-quality career and technical education. Throughout the day, the strength of Delta College’s academic programs and its commitment to student achievement were clear.

 

On March 17, 2026, Dr. Nooks continued the tour with a visit to the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. The visit featured a comprehensive agenda, beginning with a welcome reception attended by institutional leadership and department heads, including Executive Director and COE Chief Administrator Gerald Duhon.

 

The day’s programming included a campus tour, student engagement session, faculty luncheon, and an external partnership discussion, all designed to showcase the institution’s collaborative approach to education and workforce development. Dr. Nooks spent time in the teaching kitchens, observing live culinary demonstrations and engaging directly with students as they plated dishes and executed core techniques. These interactions provided valuable opportunities for dialogue on innovation, industry alignment, and the evolving needs of today’s learners.

 

“Dr. Nook’s visit was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the talent coming out of our kitchens and the value of an accredited, workforce-driven culinary education,” said Gerald Duhon. Executive director of the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute. “As a COE accredited culinary school, our students not only have access to financial aid, but they can feel assured that NOCHI meets high-quality standards that will prepare them for a demanding industry at the heart of New Orleans’ culture and economy. Accreditation is central to NOCHI’s success now and in the future.”

 

The Louisiana tour stops exemplify the Presidential Leadership in Motion initiative’s mission to strengthen connections across COE’s network while elevating the voice and visibility of its institutions. By engaging directly with students, faculty, and leadership, Dr. Nooks continues to champion excellence in career and technical education and highlight the critical role these institutions play in preparing a skilled and competitive workforce.

 

Reflecting on his visits across Louisiana, Dr. Nooks emphasized the significance of engaging directly with institutions and witnessing their impact firsthand. “Experiencing the work taking place at both Delta College of Arts & Technology and the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute reinforces the extraordinary role our institutions play in transforming lives,” said Dr. Nooks. “From meeting with dedicated leadership to engaging with students who are actively building their futures, these visits underscore the strength, relevance, and mission-driven focus of COE-accredited institutions. It is both inspiring and affirming to see this level of commitment to excellence in action.”