ROLFS Global CEO, Francis Tesmer, in collaboration with Mesa Community College (MCC) and Arizona State University (ASU), has pioneered the creation and development of a higher-education program for beauty professionals that is the first of its kind worldwide.
 
In partnership with MCC, and with L’Oréal’s support, students around the globe can now earn the first ever Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Beauty and Wellness and then apply to Arizona State University (ASU) for a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree program in Health, Entrepreneurship and Innovation with an emphasis on personal care.
 
This degree progression is designed to create an elevated future filled with prestige and financial stability for the 1.7 million beauty professionals, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities that meet, and exceed, the ever-evolving expectations of 21st century customers and markets. Courses will teach students skills in finance, marketing leadership, ethics, communication and evidence-based decision-making.
 
“This is the time for beauty to meet humanity,” said Tesmer. “Our over $500 billion dollar essential and powerful industry has the highest obligation to positively impact the world and humanity collectively in a time when we need it the most. We are responding to this historic calling by empowering our workforce through higher education, which will enable them to embrace a much bigger and more transformative role in the world. We have developed an accelerated program in which students can earn their degrees in half the time, with an AAS taking one year and a BAS taking two years. This is the fastest, most cost-effective and transformational degree ever offered.”
 
The program is offered online as well as on campus, or a hybrid of the two. The online platform helps the student to take classes around their work and family schedules and allows the degree to be offered without any concerns for difference in time zones. The online tuition is the same for in-state, out-of-state and international students.
 
Support from L’Oréal
 
Tesmer also enlisted the support of L’Oréal USA’s Professional Products Division (PPD) to provide additional opportunities for the students enrolled in the program. By leveraging the company’s vast salon, artist, educator and vendor networks, L’Oréal USA PPD has committed to providing industry-oriented curriculum support and education content, experts for guest lecturers and speaking engagements, as well as mentorship, apprenticeship and other education and career advancement opportunities.
 
“I applaud Francis Tesmer and ROLFS Global for their vision and commitment to make this higher education pathway a reality for the next generation of beauty professionals,” commented David Greenberg, group president of L’Oréal USA’s Professional Products Division. “This is the right time for this program, and I hope that other institutions of higher learning across the United States will embrace this pioneering model which will create new opportunities for professionals within this critically important sector of the economy.”
 
Along with its academic partners, ROLFS Global is currently working to scale this program nationally.