When it comes to beauty, confidence, and ambition, Houston City College (HCC) is helping students like 20-year-old Aracely Salas turn dreams into diplomas—and diplomas into dazzling careers.

Fresh out of Heights High School in 2023, Aracely knew two things: she loved beauty and she was serious about business. What she didn’t anticipate was how quickly HCC would give her the tools to transform a teenage hobby into a professional pathway. Today, Aracely is a licensed cosmetologist, employed at the bustling Visible Changes salon inside Memorial City Mall, and on track to earn her associate degree in May 2026.

From Inspiration to Graduation

Aracely’s passion began years ago on nail salon trips with her mother. What started as painting her own nails at home blossomed into a love for nails, hair, and makeup artistry.

At HCC’s Cosmetology Program, her talent quickly caught the attention of faculty. Mishe Benjamin-Curry, a program instructor, noted, “Aracely is an outstanding student who fell in love with every aspect of cosmetology. She came for nails, but she discovered she could master the whole beauty spectrum.”

That mastery paid off. Within a week of earning her Texas state cosmetology license in July, Aracely submitted her application to Visible Changes, secured an interview, and was behind the chair the following week.

Education Meets Entrepreneurship

Aracely isn’t stopping at scissors and styling tools. With HCC’s dual focus on technical and business education, she’s already planning her next move. She has enrolled in business courses at HCC with the goal of transferring to the University of Houston-Downtown to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Her ultimate mission: to own her own salon by age 30. “I know the behind-the-chair experience,” she said. “Now I want to learn the business side of owning a salon. HCC gave me the flexibility and the foundation to do both.”

Support, Flexibility, and a Future in Focus

Like many Houston students, Aracely relied on financial aid and guidance counselors to keep her goals on track. “HCC advisors are always making sure we’re on the right path,” she said. “You see all walks of life at school, and it really feels like a place that welcomes everybody.”

Balancing full-time salon work with her studies, Aracely is ready to walk proudly across the graduation stage in May 2026. “I skipped my first graduation, but this one—I’m definitely walking,” she said with a smile.

Life Beyond the Chair

Outside of work and classes, Aracely enjoys bowling with friends, exploring Houston’s diverse restaurant scene, and binge-watching her favorite shows. It’s that balance of discipline and joy that makes her story relatable to every Houstonian chasing a dream.

Why HCC Matters

Aracely’s journey is proof that Houston City College is more than a classroom—it’s a launchpad. Whether students are studying beauty, business, healthcare, or high tech, HCC provides affordable education, hands-on training, and pathways to entrepreneurship that fuel Houston’s economy.

For Aracely, the future is not just bright—it’s styled, colored, and ready for success. “I’m grateful for where I started,” she said. “And I’m even more excited for what’s ahead.”