Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour Brings COE President to Alaska’s AVTEC

Council on Occupational Education (COE) President and CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks kicked off the new fiscal year of the Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour with a visit to the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward, Alaska, on August 11- 12. The visit provided an opportunity to engage with institutional leadership, faculty, staff, and students while gaining firsthand insight into AVTEC’s innovative workforce education programs and its commitment to preparing a highly skilled workforce for Alaska’s growing industries, including construction and skilled trades, information technology, industrial and mechanical fields, and hospitality and culinary services.

AVTEC has been accredited by the Council on Occupational Education for nearly three decades, reflecting its longstanding commitment to quality career and technical education and continuous institutional improvement.

Over the course of the visit, Dr. Nooks met with the AVTEC Leadership Team and toured several of the institution’s instructional and student support facilities. His itinerary included visits to Residence Life, the Student Services Center, and the campus cafeteria, where discussions focused on student success, institutional effectiveness, and the comprehensive support services that contribute to positive student outcomes.

Dr. Nooks also explored several of AVTEC’s hands-on technical training programs, including Information Technology, Applied Technology, Industrial Machine and Maintenance, Industrial Electricity, Plumbing and Heating, Refrigeration, and Culinary Arts. Throughout the tour, he engaged with faculty and students to learn more about the institution’s industry-driven approach to education and its efforts to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to meet Alaska’s evolving workforce demands.

As part of the visit, Dr. Nooks toured the Lower Kuskokwim School District Tiny Home Project, where students gain valuable experience through project-based learning that addresses real-world workforce and community needs. The visit highlighted AVTEC’s commitment to experiential learning and its focus on preparing students for meaningful careers through practical, hands-on instruction.

The visit also included discussions with AVTEC Director Dr. Cory Ortiz and the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. These conversations focused on workforce priorities, industry partnerships, and the critical role career and technical education plays in supporting Alaska’s economy and addressing the state’s workforce needs.

“Each Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with our member institutions while learning from the innovative work taking place across the country,” said Dr. Nooks. “AVTEC has long been recognized for its commitment to workforce excellence and industry-responsive education. Seeing firsthand the dedication of its faculty, staff, and students reinforced the important role the institution plays in preparing a highly skilled workforce to meet Alaska’s current and future workforce needs.”

“I truly appreciated Dr. Nooks taking the time to visit AVTEC. He showed great interest in getting to know more about our students, programs, and staff, and we had relevant conversations about the opportunities and challenges of delivering training in Alaska. As AVTEC’s COE Liaison, I especially valued having Dr. Nooks here and the chance to strengthen the relationship between AVTEC and COE. Our campus community was excited and proud to show him a little of what makes AVTEC and Alaska such a unique place to learn and work,” said Jamie Hall, AVTEC’s COE Liaison, Title IX Coordinator, and ADA Coordinator.

The Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour reflects COE’s commitment to engaging directly with member institutions, strengthening partnerships, and celebrating excellence in career and technical education. Through campus visits across the country, the tour creates opportunities to exchange ideas, highlight innovative practices, deepen connections with member institutions, and reinforce the Council’s commitment to quality assurance, institutional excellence, and continuous improvement.