Looking to the Future

Clary Sage College opens its door to provide a top notch educational facility and promote academic excellence.

There has been a new addition to the Tulsa landscape, and it is certainly a welcome one. Clary Sage College opened the doors to its new facility on February 27, bringing to reality a dream that started for Community Care College founder and CEO Teresa Knox over three years ago. That’s when she noticed a need for quality personal care and cosmetology training in the Tulsa area and began an extensive market study of these important fields.

“The personal care and cosmetology industry with services such as hair coloring, manicure, pedicure, massage and facials are an important part of our culture and an important part of wellness,” says Teresa, who relates that the demand for this industry has surpassed even the food services industry in this country. “The need for quality professionals in these fields is greater than ever due to the rising trend of the correlation between the healthcare and cosmetology/spa industry.”

During the two years before building began, Teresa traveled extensively, visiting the most distinctive schools around the country to gather ideas that would help her create a state of the art facility in Tulsa. “I wanted Clary Sage to be a top notch facility where people in Tulsa, Oklahoma can get an education they would normally only find in bigger cities like Los Angeles and New York,” says Teresa. Now that her plans have come to fruition, Teresa looks to the future. “Our vision is to create a nurturing culture that promotes an education environment conducive to leading by example in service and academic excellence, and allowing our students to express themselves artistically while promoting regulatory compliance,” she relates. “Clary Sage is striving to be a support system to the cosmetology community where graduates, alumni and existing practitioners can depend on us for new and innovative training and continuing education.” Teresa describes the staff at Clary Sage as an excellent collection of industry professionals, including Donna Simmons, Department Head, Christen Brummet, Master Instructor, Jennifer Luce, Manager, and Tyesha Jamison, Administrative Support.

The newly opened facility was designed by CJC and Associates Architectural Firm and constructed by Cowen Construction. Assisting in funding was Charlie Crouse of Summit Bank and Ross Bishop of Bank of Oklahoma. Additional funding was provided by Rose Washington, Executive Director of Tulsa Economic Development Corporation. The following programs are offered at Clary Sage: basic cosmetology, master instructor, nail technician, esthetician, massage therapy, and spa management. They are also seeking approval to offer an Associate Degree in Occupational Science of Cosmetology. Many student services will be offered to Clary Sage attendees that are offered at the main campus, including an on-site daycare facility (DHS approved), a fitness and corporate wellness facility, and a learning resource center. The Clary Sage Campus will also house a large retail store offering a wide array of products, including campus clothing, hair, nail and skin care products, organic teas, books, magazines, make-up, aromatherapy products, candles and many other beauty, bath and spa related items.

In keeping with its pursuit of excellence, Clary Sage College holds dual licensure in the State of Oklahoma, both with the Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology and the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools. It is also accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. “Because our accrediting body specializes in allied health, it holds our institution to a higher standard as it pertains to OSHA, infection control and sterilization procedures,” Teresa explains.

Clary Sage College is a “non-main” campus of Community Care College, which has become known over the last twelve years as one of the largest career colleges in Oklahoma, offering various diplomas and associate degree programs in the business, dental, health management, fitness, massage, medical, pharmacy, surgical and veterinary professions. According to Teresa, each campus shares in student support services and administrative staff: President, Dr. Kevin Kirk, Chief Financial Officer, Marlene Flaherty, Director of Campus Admissions, Blaze Bly, and “Compliance Guru” (Personal Assistant to Teresa Knox), Rebecca Banuelos. Teresa also points to the great support of her husband and co-owner, Ivan Acosta. “Without his vision and hard work with the developers, my ‘idea’ would never have become a reality.”

For more information, contact

Clary Sage College

www.clarysagecollege.com