Complaint Review: Tricoci University of Beauty Culture - Libertyville Illinois

I am a former student of this school. The teachers here are totally unprofessional and emotionally abusive. They do not seem to enjoy teaching at all. I guess they are there because they no longer want to work in a salon and this is their only other option. In my experience, the teachers do not understand the Tricoci curriculum and are not on the same page with any of the material. Furthermore, some will tell students wrong techniques on purpose, put them down, or walk up behind them and cut a chunk out of the back of their hair. One teacher spent the entire first 11 weeks demonstrating "cheers" that her daughter learns. I remember when Mario came to the salon. All but the General Manager made themselves scarce. They do not want anything to do with his techniques or him. This was a very disappointing experience. In some ways I am still in recovery. I was one of those that would have been a natural. Teachers didn't like me. I guess I simplified things too much for them by learning too quickly. So they would play mind games like come over and direct the hair in the wrong direction to appear to be "checking" it and then cut a big chunk out of it and tell me to do it again if it, or roll their eyes and tell the customer I didn't know what I was doing. The put downs and eye rolling were minor in comparison to changing rules daily, giving students that they didn't like extra pedicures or cleaning toilets, not signing off on their work, and standing on the side of a student while they worked on a customer and making derrogatory comments about students while laughing with eachother. Insane is the best word to describe that place. There should be some type of screening or psychological evaluation for teaching. Not sure what each individual's issues were but what a terrible environment. Since I have been out of school I have had to relearn just about every technique. When my cohorts and I graduated we did not even know how to do a men's haircut. They do not teach techniques for cutting around the ear, how to cut a side bang, or any basics. They prefer you go rub hair gel on your mannequin all day and leave them alone. They let you "play" on a customer and then they come and redo the entire cut themselves while making nasty comments and putting you down in front of the customer, which totally ruins your tip. So much time is wasted trying to find them so you can get a consultation approved or to get them to "check" the hair. Never once did I get words of encouragement to foster my growth. If Mario only knew what they are doing to his reputation at that place. 

We appreciate your feedback, and are sorry to hear about anything less than a positive experience by anyone that associates with one of our schools. We invite you to contact us directly for a further discussion.

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture (TUBC) is committed to teaching a new generation of beauty industry students ethical leadership, values and advanced skills preparing them for their state licensing examinations and careers in the beauty industry. TUBC’s culture has been formed principally by Mario Tricoci’s high degree of professionalism, taste, aesthetic refinement and work ethic.  As with his salon business, the resulting culture of TUBC is hard-working, professional, creative and loyal.  This culture, along with the Company’s superior programming and facilities, has elevated the industry’s standards for the teaching of beauty school students and for the operating of a beauty school clinic.

TUBC’s teachers and staff are expected to role model professional behavior and treat everyone (students, guests, and other staff members) with respect. Likewise, students agree upon enrollment that they will act and present themselves in a professional manner, as well as adhere to a set of high standards for academic progress and attendance during their program.

In the most recent set of student surveys (Jan 2013 – Dec 2013), students and graduates on average “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the following statements (scale 1 – 5; 1 = strongly agree, 5 = strongly disagree):

"Overall, my experience with Campus Management was good." = Average response 1.8

"Overall, my experience with Teachers was good." = Average response 1.6

"Overall, my experience with Other Campus Stuff was good." = Average response 1.8

"Overall, my experience with Student Services was good." = Average response 1.8

TUBC encourages everyone that is considering a professional beauty school for education or services to first talk to current students, graduates, staff and/or guests.

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture (TUBC) is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS).