Dr. Gwendolyn Sutton, the president of Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Memphis, has been appointed as the chair of the Council on Occupational Education’s (COE) governing Board of Commissioners. At the same time, Laura Travis, the president of TCAT Dickson, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the 20-member Board of Commissioners.
The Council on Occupational Education is a prominent accrediting body for over 500 postsecondary occupational education institutions across 43 states and territories. It aims to ensure quality and integrity within career and technical education.
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Dr. Sutton began her one-year term as chair on January 1st following her election during the COE’s annual business meeting in Atlanta. She succeeds Kim Ziebarth, who was the associate commissioner for technical education at the Utah System of Higher Education.
With 24 years of experience in technical education and workforce development, Dr. Sutton joined TCAT Memphis in 2003 and became its vice president in 2017. She was appointed president in 2023 by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Under her leadership, TCAT Memphis has gained recognition for its innovative programs and partnerships with key industries, which have contributed to regional economic development and student success.
Dr. Sutton expressed her enthusiasm for her new role by stating, “I am honored to serve as chair of COE and to continue the legacy of advancing occupational education.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality standards for member institutions and expressed her eagerness to work with fellow commissioners to support students and institutions nationwide.
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings praised both TCAT presidents for their new roles. She acknowledged Dr. Sutton’s dedication to excellence, which has positioned TCAT Memphis as a leading provider of career and technical education in Memphis. She also commended Laura Travis for her election to the COE board, recognizing her contributions to advancing TCAT Dickson and its Clarksville Campus.
Laura Travis has been with TCAT Dickson since 1998, initially serving as the director of nursing. Her responsibilities expanded to include academic affairs and health careers coordination in 2015. She became vice president in 2020 and was appointed president in 2023. Travis expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Commissioners and her eagerness to promote the growth and success of occupational education.
Dr. Kirk Nooks, COE’s president and chief executive officer, lauded Dr. Sutton’s leadership, describing her as an excellent choice to lead the COE Board of Commissioners. He expressed enthusiasm for working with her to advance COE’s mission of promoting institutional success and student achievement.
For more information about the Council on Occupational Education and its mission, visit their website.
Resources: COE media release is available here. The College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, is the state’s largest public higher education system, comprising 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, and the online TN eCampus, serving approximately 140,000 students.
Contact Information: Richard Locker can be reached at 615-366-4417. For updates, follow @CollegeSystemTN on Twitter.
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