Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour Highlights Excellence in Career and Technical Education Across Minnesota

COE President and CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks visited two Minnesota institutions as part of the Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour, highlighting excellence in career and technical education through innovation, workforce training, and student success.

The Minnesota stop included visits to Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC)  and Finishing Trades Institute Upper Midwest, where leaders, instructors, and students showcased impactful training programs preparing individuals for high-demand careers.

On May 14, Dr. Nooks visited Summit Academy OIC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was welcomed by President Leroy West and Chief Operating Officer Hope Patterson. The visit featured a guided tour of the campus and an overview of academic programs designed to prepare students for meaningful workforce pathways.

During the visit, Dr. Nooks toured multiple program classrooms where instructors and program managers led demonstrations highlighting hands-on learning opportunities and industry-driven instruction. The experience reflected the institution’s strong commitment to workforce development, community impact, and student achievement.

The following day, May 15, Dr. Nooks visited Finishing Trades Institute Upper Midwest in Little Canada, Minnesota, where the visit highlighted apprenticeship and skilled trades programs preparing students for careers in the finishing trades industry. Dr. Nooks observed students working directly on the shop floor and engaged in conversations with staff and students about their educational experiences and career pathways. Featured program areas included drywall finishing, glazing, and commercial painting, each showcasing the technical expertise and hands-on skills students develop through career-focused training.

Tom Aasheim, Director of Technical Education for the institution, introduced Dr. Nooks, who delivered remarks on COE accreditation and the value of accredited Registered Apprenticeship Programs in supporting students, employers, and the broader workforce. The visit concluded with an open question-and-answer session with staff and students.

“Dr. Nooks’s tour and visit with faculty and students at the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest helped everyone see the value of COE and better understand RAPs,” said Thomas Aasheim, Director of Technical Education. “We are grateful for his leadership and dedication to higher education.”

“Both Summit Academy OIC and Finishing Trades Institute Upper Midwest reflect the power of career and technical education when it is intentionally aligned with industry needs,” said Dr. Nooks. What stood out is not only the strength of the training programs, but the way each institution creates real pathways that connect students directly to sustainable careers and economic mobility.”

The Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour continues to highlight institutions that are driving innovation, strengthening workforce pipelines, and expanding opportunities through quality career and technical education. Each stop reflects the important role accredited institutions play in supporting student success and advancing workforce readiness across the country.