February 5, 2026

Students in the Barbering/Stylist and Cosmetology programs on East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus are more than halfway through their training and are putting their skills to work by offering free haircuts to EMCC faculty, students and staff. They are also providing services to members of the public at reduced rates.

“Our students have been working hard to hone their craft,” EMCC Cosmetology and Barbering/Stylist department head David Long said. “The public benefits because we are able to offer very reasonable prices and their work is supervised by our instructors to ensure everything is done correctly.”

Barbering/Stylist services are available Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services include haircuts, shaves, manicures, pedicures and shampoos, among other things. Clients are encouraged to call ahead at 662.243.1922 to schedule an appointment.

“We accept donations for our services,” Barbering instructor Erica Turner said. “We also do perms, relaxers, colors and highlights, but those will cost more because we have to purchase the chemicals.”

EMCC has two Cosmetology classes. Cosmetology students offer many of the same services as Barbering/Stylist such as haircuts, perms, and foil highlights, with additional salon treatments, such as lip and brow waxes, and change of fingernail polish, to name a few.

Cosmetology services are available Tuesday and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Email Long at dlong@eastms.edu for more information or call 662.243.1921 to schedule an appointment.

Free services to EMCC students, faculty and staff are limited to haircuts, manicures and facials. Tips are welcome. Both Cosmetology classes and the Barbering/Stylist program are in the Douglas Building on EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. Barbering/Stylist is in room 122. The Cosmetology classes are in rooms 125, 125 and 126.

“Offering services to the public is a great opportunity for students to work on live clients,” Cosmetology instructor Teresa Rogers said. “They learn how to interact with people and to handle different hair types and hair textures.”

Students also visit nursing homes each week and provide haircuts, manicures and other basic services to residents in the facilities.

“The residents in the nursing homes love it,” Rogers said. “They are so excited to see us and grateful to have someone cut their hair.”

Barbering/Stylist student Yuri Talavera of Starkville said the opportunity to make others feel good about themselves is one of the things she likes about the field.

“A haircut can change a person’s whole day,” Talavera said. “If you get a good haircut, you feel good and have more energy. You are on top of the world.”

Students in the Barbering/Stylist and Cosmetology programs began in August of 2025 and will graduate in July.

“I plan on working for someone and save up some money so I can eventually start my own business,” Cosmetology student Lola Artz of Columbus said.