Deborah K. Nolte (April 12, 1955 - January 18, 2001) was a devoted vocational evaluation practitioner, educator, leader and friend. Those of us who knew her well can also reflect on Deborah's tireless energy and amazing ability to successfully juggle her obligations, family, employment, faculty assignments and numerous professional contributions to the field.

Deborah Nolte was devoted to the field of vocational evaluation and the efforts of CCWAVES for the promotion of certification. She assumed a number of leadership roles during her tenure with the Commission including Secretary, Vice-Chair, Chair, Task Force Chair and countless committee appointments. Deborah began her term as a Commissioner in 1993, filling the role of CCWAVES Commissioner Dick Omang. She continued an appointment as Commissioner in 1997, filling the role of CCWAVES Commissioner Michael A. Rubin.

During her tenure with CCWAVES, the national office changed physical locations three times. Working with these transitions took a great deal of time and dedication and Deb was always completely enthralled in the process. A number of initiatives evolved during those years including the development of the new Certified Career Assessment Associate (CCAA) certification. CCWAVES acquired national recognition in an article published in Case Review (1996), noting the necessity for both vocational evaluation services and the importance of employing certified Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE) practitioners. In 1998, a national research study was deployed by CCWAVES under Deb's leadership and yielded a national report that helped to clarify the minimal competencies for vocational evaluation personnel. Additionally, CCWAVES embraced an opportunity to collaborate with our vocational evaluation practitioners in Canada and established a seat for a non-voting Canadian representative on the Board.

Deb gave of herself to the professions of vocational assessment and evaluation. She believed in the process and placed a high value on the importance of certification. She valued the credential of Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE) and took every opportunity to educate others to the process. She moved forward, against the odds, and continued to achieve success in her work with a local public school system, as a private vocational evaluation practitioner and as an expert witness for the Ohio Social Security System. She will be missed in our professional community, in her contributions to the field and as a dear friend.

 

Deborah K. Nolte
CCWAVES Commissioner
1993 - 2001