The cosmetology program at Pueblo Community College Southwest in Mancos will close in May 2019.
The school cut the program because of low enrollment and unsustainable jobs in the Mancos/Cortez area, according to Mary Chavez, PCC’s dean of health and public safety.
“The sustainability of this program has been a concern for a few years now,” said PCC President Patty Erjavec..“We have a responsibility to both our taxpayers and our students to ensure we offer programs that will ultimately address industry needs and yield a livable wage. ... The market is saturated with qualified cosmetologists at this time.”
The PCC cosmetology department typically offers courses for students to become hair stylists, manicurists and estheticians. Because of low enrollment, PCC offered only the manicurist program this year.
Students were told during enrollment that the department would close after the spring 2019 semester, and they will complete their courses in May and receive manicurist certificates.
