ÐÓ°ÉPro

Cosmetology Alum, Vance Onsurez, Now Manager at Local Salon

Cosmetology Alum, Vance Onsurez, Now Manager at Local Salon

Vance Onsurez

ÐÓ°ÉPro (NMJC) alumnus, Vance Onsurez, now manages local Smart Style salon after obtaining his cosmetology certificate with the help of ÐÓ°ÉPro Foundation scholarships. 

Onsurez graduated from ÐÓ°ÉPro in May 2017 with his certificate in cosmetology. After attempting the cosmetology program at another institution, Onsurez was introduced to ÐÓ°ÉPro’s program by his sister, Valerie Onsurez Gauna.

He noted big differences between ÐÓ°ÉPro and the other school’s cosmetology programs. “Most other schools don’t have the business part of cosmetology. At the junior college, you learn a lot about how to run a business and product sales. It really prepared me for the business environment.â€

Onsurez, originally from Loving, NM, dealt with a lot of separation anxiety when he first attended ÐÓ°ÉPro. “Being away from home, even though it was just an hour and a half away, was hard.â€

He recalled one of his favorite moments at ÐÓ°ÉPro as being the cosmetology pinning ceremony. “It was a moment that I will never forget. It made it all worth it, all the emotions of being away from home were justified and I realized that I was never actually alone. All the professors here were not just my mentors but friends and my family away from family.â€

Onsurez has big dreams of owning his own salon and becoming a platform artist for aspiring stylists. He wants to attend shows around the nation and continue to learn more about cosmetology.

He states about ÐÓ°ÉPro: “It was so welcoming and hands-on. Everyone was caring and made sure I had what I needed to succeed and the scholarship I received saved me from having to take out student loans.

ÐÓ°ÉPro is a great place to put your foot in the door. It’s a place to have the perfect college experience without having all the pressure of a big school.â€