PUEBLO – After more than a decade operating off site, the Pueblo Community College cosmetology program is back on campus.
The program now occupies remodeled space in the Medical Arts & Technology building. The move was celebrated Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by PCC students, employees and members of the community.
“This is a dream come true,” said Department Chair Michele Edwards. “To me, it’s all about students. We get a broader range of clientele because now the student body can be part of what we do (and) our students get to experience campus life – they’re not sheltered over in our other corner of the world.”
The project took five months to complete and was part of $6.3 million in capital improvement funding provided by the Colorado General Assembly. The money also was used to renovate space in the Health Science building for PCC’s dental hygiene program. HW Houston was the general contractor and Steve Weidner was the project manager.
Another $100,000 in Amendment 50 funding was used to purchase new equipment. Amendment 50 was passed in 2008 and directs much of the state’s gaming tax revenue to community colleges.
The cosmetology area includes new labs and clinics for the esthetician, nail technician, cosmetology and barbering programs, as well as an esthetician spa.
PCC President Patty Erjavec, speaking at her final press conference before retiring, said, “It’s heartwarming to hear how excited the students are to be back on campus.”
Enrollment is “going through the roof,” Edwards said. “In fall, we typically have 94 to 100 students. Our waiting lists are almost full.”
Darrian Shineovich, a 2013 graduate of the program and current chair of its advisory board, is excited about new possibilities that may come from the move.
“This not only brings our students together, but it brings the campus to us,” she said.
PCC’s cosmetology clinic is open to the public and offers discounted services provided by students under the supervision of instructors.
