Council on Occupational Education

President and CEO Dr. Kirk A. Nooks continued the Presidential Leadership in Motion tour with a visit to Delta College of Arts & Technology in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 16, 2026.

Commissioner Vanessa Perez, President of Make Utah in Pleasant Grove, UT, took her oath of office during the Commission’s March meeting on Thursday, March 5, held in Atlanta, Georgia, officially beginning her service as a Commissioner.

Dr. Nooks continued the Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour with a February 17 visit to Saint Therese Learning Institute in Las Vegas. Another meaningful stop as the tour continues to spotlight institutions advancing career and technical education. #LeadershipInMotion

February 13 marked Dr. Nooks’ final South Carolina stop on the Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour at the National Center for Credibility Assessment in Columbia.

COE leadership represented the agency at the CSPEN Higher Education Policy Meeting in Washington, D.C., and met on Capitol Hill to highlight the impact of member institutions and key workforce priorities. Read the full story on our website council.org/news/

The Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour continued its national momentum on February 12 with Dr. Nooks’ visit to Southeastern Health and Wellness Institute in Columbia, marking his first tour stop in South Carolina.

The Council on Occupational Education re-elects Dr. Gwen Sutton to serve a second term as chair of the COE Commission. Dr. Sutton, president of the TCAT Memphis, continues to provide strong leadership and a deep commitment to career and technical education.

The Council on Occupational Education is pleased to welcome Vanessa Machin Perez and Ahmad Dib as newly elected members of the COE Commission. We look forward to their leadership and service in support of COE’s mission to be the standard of education that works.

Save the Date: Spring Accreditation Institute April 29-30, 2026. Registration Opens February 2, 2026.

COE hosted its inaugural Regional Candidate Academy in Columbus, Ohio, delivering accreditation preparation directly to ODRC institutions with limited travel access. The regional format supported hands-on training and direct engagement with COE staff.

Have you read the January edition of The Councilor ? This issue features updates on Policies and Rules, Standards and Conditions, legislative developments, and highlights from the 2025 Annual Meeting in Austin Texas. 🌐 Visit council.org/news/ to read the full issue.

The Council on Occupational Education will be closed in observance of the holiday season from December 23, 2025, through January 1, 2026. Regular business hours and services will resume on Friday, January 2, 2026. We extend our warmest wishes to everyone. Happy Holidays !

Dr. Nooks continued his Texas tour with a visit to Southwest School of Business and Technical Careers in San Antonio, where he was welcomed by President Ahmad Dib, a valued COE Commissioner, which made this stop particularly special.

Dr. Nooks made his second stop in San Antonio, Texas at Milan Institute. The visit included hands-on program demonstrations, student interactions, and discussions, reflecting the institute’s commitment to career and technical education and student success.

On December 1st, Dr. Nooks brought his Presidential Leadership in Motion Tour to Alamo City Barber College in San Antonio, Texas. This stop celebrated the vital role of career and technical education in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.

We will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, December 1. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving !

On behalf of the Council on Occupational Education, thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas, November 11–13. Your enthusiasm, engagement, and unwavering commitment to excellence made this year’s gathering truly unforgettable.

We’re excited to welcome Sikich as a valued Thought Partner for the 2025 COE Annual Meeting!

COE is thrilled to announce that Orbund is joining us as a Platinum Thought Partner at this year’s Annual Meeting. Orbund provides a cloud-based student information system designed to help institutions streamline operations, improve communication, and enhance student experience.