Wilma Maggard to retire from HCTC in December

Wilma Maggard began her career as a Cosmetology instructor at Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) in August 2013.

Maggard’s journey to become a Cosmetologist started when she took classes at the Hazard Vocational School where she graduated in May 1989. After graduating, she worked at a local salon for a couple of years until it was sold and closed.

After that, she learned Hazard would soon be home to a new JCPenney store with a salon inside. In early 1991, she was hired to work at that salon. In just two short years, she was promoted to Salon Supervisor.

“I absolutely loved my job and looked forward to each day,” she said. “As the Salon Supervisor, I was asked to be a part of the Program Advisory Committee at HCTC. I served as chair of the committee for two years,” she added.

In 2002, Maggard saw the opportunity to gain her instructor’s license. She completed the required courses in the Spring of 2003. She returned to JCPenney as a stylist and in 2004 began working as an adjunct Cosmetology instructor at HCTC.

“Mrs. Maggard will give us a detailed description of what we are learning and what we are doing,” one student wrote. “She gives us her own personal examples of what happened when she was working as a cosmetologist and how she handled it at that time,” they noted.

Sadly, she had to make the difficult decision to leave the hair industry after the tragic loss of her 15-year-old stepson in 2007. Even though she left the hair industry, she taught at a private school which fed her desire to teach full-time.

A few years went by when she learned about a Cosmetology instructor opening at HCTC. She was hired to fill that position full-time.

“Wilma has been an excellent leader for the students, program and HCTC overall. She has always gone above and beyond to make sure each student leaves with great skills to serve clients,” said Dr. Ella Strong, Chief Academic Officer. “She has been instrumental in working with other instructors and the students to provide community service activities every year. Wilma is passionate about teaching others the skills for a career to help them and their family,” she said. “We all will miss Wilma and all her contributions to the college,” she added.

“I wish Wilma Maggard the best in her retirement as the Cosmetology Program Coordinator and Instructor,” said Tony Back, Dean of Advanced and Professional Technologies Division. “Wilma has always taken great pride in helping students reach their goal of becoming licensed Cosmetologists,” he said. “I greatly appreciate Wilma and everything she has done. She has been a great friend and coworker over the years,” he added.

Maggard encourages her current students and those interested in becoming a Cosmologist to never stop learning and evolving as the industry is always changing.

“I feel that the program at HCTC is better than most in the private sector, namely because we build a foundation of basic skills first with our students and then introduce them to the more challenging skills,” Maggard said. “We provide a lot of one-on-one instruction to those who struggle, and we encourage them to not give up. Little successes have a way of turning into big successes,” she added.

Maggard’s last day at HCTC is December 31, 2023. During retirement, she plans to spend time with her husband.