At Miami Barber Institute, educational quality is more than a standard we uphold. It is a responsibility we are proud to help advance across career and technical education.

We are proud to announce that our President, Luis Castillo, served as an institutional peer evaluator on a Council on Occupational Education accreditation team for Los Angeles Pacific College. The onsite evaluation took place in Los Angeles, California, from August 24 through August 27, 2026.

His participation reflects MBI’s continued commitment to educational quality, institutional accountability, regulatory compliance, and student success.

Why COE accreditation and peer evaluation matter

The Council on Occupational Education, commonly known as COE, is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting agency for career and technical institutions.

The COE accreditation process evaluates whether an institution meets established standards related to educational quality, program outcomes, administrative integrity, institutional resources, financial stewardship, student services, and regulatory compliance.

Peer evaluators are experienced career education professionals who examine institutional documentation, facilities, academic programs, operational practices, and student outcomes. Their work helps determine whether an institution demonstrates compliance with COE accreditation standards.

The four day evaluation at Los Angeles Pacific College included an evidence based assessment of the institution’s academic offerings, infrastructure, governance, student services, financial practices, and program outcomes.

Luis Castillo’s role on the accreditation team

As a member of the visiting committee, Luis Castillo was assigned responsibility for evaluating:

• Standard 3: Program Outcomes
• Standard 6: Institutional Infrastructure

His work focused on the Professional Computer Graphic Design and Computer Graphic Design programs offered by Los Angeles Pacific College.

During the visit, Castillo examined institutional facilities, classroom environments, instructional resources, safety practices, operational efficiency, curriculum alignment, employer feedback, graduate completion data, and placement information.

This detailed process required evaluating whether the institution’s programs and infrastructure aligned with COE requirements and supported its stated educational mission.

Working alongside career education leaders

The visiting committee brought together experienced administrators and career education professionals from institutions across the United States.

The team was led by Dr. Nand Panjwani, Chief Administrator of New York Medical Career Training Center. Julliana Probst, COE Liaison at J.F. Ingram State College, served as Assistant Team Leader.

Additional committee members included Anne Murathime, Chief Administrator of Care One Health Training Institute, and Becky Fenton of Mountainland Technical College.

Together, the committee evaluated Los Angeles Pacific College against the ten core accreditation standards established by the Council on Occupational Education.

A continuing commitment to institutional quality

This was not Luis Castillo’s first opportunity to participate in an accreditation evaluation beyond Miami Barber Institute.

In June 2025, he participated in an international accreditation review for the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute in Nassau, Bahamas. During that visit, he evaluated technical facilities, administrative operations, and program quality under the COE accreditation framework.

These national and international peer review experiences reflect Castillo’s continuing involvement in career education governance and institutional accountability.

“Participating in peer review accreditation is both a privilege and a vital professional duty within career education,” said Luis Castillo, President of Miami Barber Institute. “Institutional accreditation relies on objective, evidence based evaluation to ensure that career schools maintain academic rigor and operational excellence. Collaborating with respected leaders from across the country allows us to exchange best practices, support institutional accountability, and help elevate the quality of technical education.”

What this service represents for MBI

Accreditation requires institutions to remain focused on quality, documentation, accountability, student outcomes, and continuous improvement.

Having our president participate in this process as a peer evaluator reinforces the same institutional principles that guide Miami Barber Institute. It also provides an opportunity to engage with experienced educational leaders, examine different institutional models, and contribute to the broader career education community.

We are proud to see Luis Castillo represent Miami Barber Institute through this important professional service and help support educational quality beyond our own campus.

About Miami Barber Institute

Miami Barber Institute is a nationally accredited barber school in Miami, Florida. MBI offers a 600 hour Restricted Barber Program and a 900 hour Barber Program, with bilingual instruction, hybrid learning options, flexible schedules, hands-on training, and preparation for state licensure requirements.

Federal Financial Aid, GI Bill® benefits, Florida Prepaid College Plans, Vocational Rehabilitation, and scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Luis Castillo?

Luis Castillo is the President of Miami Barber Institute, a nationally accredited barber school in Miami, Florida.

What role did Luis Castillo have during the Los Angeles Pacific College evaluation?

Castillo served as an institutional peer evaluator on a Council on Occupational Education accreditation team. He evaluated Standard 3, Program Outcomes, and Standard 6, Institutional Infrastructure.

When did the COE evaluation take place?

The onsite evaluation took place at Los Angeles Pacific College from August 24 through August 27, 2026.

What is the Council on Occupational Education?

The Council on Occupational Education is a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It accredits career and technical institutions that demonstrate compliance with established standards for educational and institutional quality.