Student Stories: Gina Steiner

Gina Steiner


Major: Cosmetology

Gina Steiner was a teenager when she experienced her first brush with cosmetology.

“My first job at 15 was in a beauty supply store in Whittier, Calif., where I grew up,” she said. “I remember it as a great time period in my life.”

However, she chose a different career path at first, earning a degree and working in health care. While she loved interacting with patients and advocating on their behalf, Steiner realized the profession just didn’t attract her as it once did.

Adult Student Admissions

She began thinking about cosmetology and how much she would enjoy working with customers, much like she worked with patients in health care. After researching schools, Steiner selected College of DuPage.

“COD has the best faculty, including advisors, that made it impossible to want any other school,” she said. “By offering both a degree and a certificate, COD enabled me to satisfy my desire for a stronger educational foundation by pursuing the degree. The incredible instructors inspired me to fulfill goals that I thought were not possible in this field.” 

While at COD, Steiner took first place in the Cosmetology category at the SkillsUSA Illinois state competition and qualified for nationals.

I don’t believe it is possible to get a finer education anywhere else. The cost is so low, and the educational opportunities are incredible.

Gina Steiner

Having earned her Associate in Applied Science degree with high honors, Steiner currently works in a salon at a retirement home. She also enjoys teaching and became an Illinois Cosmetology Teacher after completing 500 hours at the Technology Center of DuPage.

Now Steiner is giving back to the school that has done so much for her by working as an adjunct faculty member for COD’s Cosmetology program. She cannot say enough about the high quality of education she received at COD.

“I don’t believe it is possible to get a finer education anywhere else. The cost is so low, and the educational opportunities are incredible,” she said. “The instructors are top professionals in their field and are incredibly talented. Many have experience in the entertainment field as well as being highly recognized in national competitions.

“Where can you go for this tuition and receive this level of training? COD only! So I thank everyone at COD for the incredible opportunity for a life-changing career. COD is the best thing that ever happened to me, and now working at COD has been a dream come true!”

Learn more about the Cosmetology program at College of DuPage