Ebony Spiller has always enjoyed helping others look their best.
As a student at Ball High School in Galveston, she completed the two-year, dual-credit Cosmetology program at Galveston College and, following graduation, earned state of Texas certification as a licensed cosmetologist, as well as licensure in Novalash eyelash extensions.
Born and raised in Galveston, Spiller currently works at the Hotel Galvez and Spa, where she serves as a lash stylist and makeup artist in the salon. She is continuing her studies at Galveston College with the ultimate career goal of becoming a licensed cosmetology instructor.
As the mother of an active one-year-old, Brycen, Spiller said she enjoyed the flexibility of the Cosmetology program at Galveston College.
“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do now if I didn’t have the training from Galveston College.”
She said she especially enjoyed her senior year in the dual-credit Cosmetology program.
“I loved Ms. (Kristin) Harris’ class,” said Spiller. “I want to be able to teach people cosmetology the way Ms. Harris taught me.”
Students in the 1,000-contact-hour, dual-credit Cosmetology program can earn upwards of 42 hours of college credit while at Ball High School. They enroll in courses such as Principles of Cosmetology Design and Color Theory, Introduction to Cosmetology and Cosmetology 1, and Cosmetology 2 and Practicum in Human Services.
Students also can opt to pursue the 320-contact-hour Novalash licensure program, which Spiller took in the evenings with Cosmetology Program Director Sandra Villarreal.
Spiller said her grandmother and her significant other, Marcus, whom she has been dating for four years, have encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
“After my first year in the Cosmetology program, I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue it my senior year,” Spiller said. “My grandmother encouraged me to finish out my senior year of the program. I’m glad she did because I had a chance to meet Ms. Harris and decide that I wanted to teach.”
Spiller is taking general education courses this semester and plans to enroll this fall in the Cosmetology Instructor program at the Galveston College Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center.
“I love what I do. The work and styles are always changing,” she said. “I’m excited to do something that changes the way people look and feel.”
While the dual-credit Cosmetology program for high school students is two years in length, encompassing both junior and senior years, the college-level program is one year in length.
For more information on the Galveston College Cosmetology program, contact Sandra Villarreal at svillarr@gc.edu or (409) 944-1480.
