Interest in School of Cosmetology and Barbering Exceeds Expectations

Kalamazoo Valley's new School of Cosmetology and Barbering will officially open its doors to students during the Fall 2024 semester. Classes will be taught by employees of the college in renovated spaces on the college's Texas Township Campus. The nearly 10,000 square-foot lab space includes the cosmetology school's salon and spa and the barbering school's barbershop.

Interest in the new program has exceeded expectations, according to Mark Dunneback, dean of instruction at Kalamazoo Valley.

"To date, more than 600 people have expressed interest in the new cosmetology and barbering programs," Dunneback said. "We are thrilled that so many people want to enroll in classes to become the next generation of cosmetologists and barbers. We are excited to welcome them to campus."

According to Dunneback, preliminary plans are to start with full and part-time cohorts of 40 cosmetology and 20 barbering students twice a year, beginning in October and February, with the eventual goal of having three cohorts per year. Students accepted into the first two cohorts will be notified in July.

Additionally, 30 cosmetology and up to 15 barbering students from the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) will be taking classes at the new school in fall.

Discounted services to the community will be offered beginning in late summer. Watch for updates and details at www.kvcc.edu/haircare.