Kalamazoo Valley Community College Set To Launch Cosmetology and Barbering Institute

As a response to the growing need for hairstylists and personal care professionals, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is establishing a Cosmetology and Barbering Institute as announced recently by Provost and Vice President for Instruction and Student Services, Paige Eagan, Ph.D.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over the next 10 years the demand for personal appearance workers will grow by 13%, hairdressers and hairstylist by 11% and barbers by 8 percent. *In the Kalamazoo/Portage region, professionals in these career paths earn consistently higher wages than the national average. **

"With the retirement of Jacqueline Rush, owner and CEO of the West Michigan College of Barbering and Beauty, combined with increased student inquiries about personal care related program options and community partners interested in filling a local need, it seems that the timing was right to consider this new educational endeavor," Eagan said. "Over the past decade the college has focused on the connection of food-health-wellness and this is a reasonable next step in providing programs that could help our community positively move the needle on various social determinants of health."

According to Cameron Buck, executive director of career and technical education at Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, "KRESA is looking forward to working with Kalamazoo Valley Community College in serving area high school students as they grow, learn and prepare for the state licensure exams in cosmetology and barbering. This will be a great opportunity for students to continue their pursuit of an associate's degree in business or other related fields."

Other Michigan community colleges offering programs in cosmetology include Kirtland and Mott while others such as Delta, Schoolcraft and Oakland offer salon management program options. Kalamazoo Valley plans to provide employer-recognized training and credentials which will prepare students to take State Licensing Exams and to build upon their certifications with options for earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The Institute is planning to launch in Fall 2023 pending State and Higher Learning Commission approvals.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projection Program
**Source: careeronestop.com