Nontraditional students are WCTC students: Kathi Moses '22, Cosmetology

At Waukesha County Technical College, more than 40 percent of students are nontraditional, meaning they are older than age 25. Their road to education may have been postponed or interrupted for any number of reasons, among them full-time work, caregiving responsibilities or a change in career. Class of 2022 Cosmetology graduate Kathi Moses is one of those students. Learn more of her story and the path that brought her to WCTC.

Since Kathi Moses was a little girl, she loved styling hair, learning new techniques and trying different looks. Her hope was to one day become a hairstylist with her own salon. But like many returning adult students, life took an unconventional path.

At 21, she had her daughter, followed by a son a few years later. She needed to provide for them, and returning to school posed a challenge as a single parent. Then she discovered WCTC’s part-time Cosmetology program.

"I was a mom and I had to work," said Moses. "But then I found out that WCTC offered a night program so I didn’t have to sacrifice work to also pursue my dreams at the same time."

At 34, Moses enrolled at WCTC. She continued working in a medical office, but as soon as her work day ended and her children were cared for, she headed to campus. Because of support from her mother, employer, and WCTC faculty and staff, she stayed the course.

Moses benefited from instructors’ real-life stories and examples shared in class, which made learning more authentic. Faculty were also understanding of students’ unique circumstances outside the classroom."

It was always positive reinforcement coming from every single (instructor), and I really appreciate that," Moses said. "It takes the weight off you a little bit to know that you have instructors in your corner. They want to see you win; they want you to be successful."

Today, Moses rents a chair at King’s Barber and Beauty Shop and is finally able to realize her dream. 

"I truly can’t believe that I’m doing what I love every day, and I’m successful in it," she said.

From WCTC Impact, Spring 2024