The late Petula Holden, a beloved cosmetology instructor and program director remembered for her passion for teaching and commitment to student success, is being honored with the opening of the Petula Holden Student Salon at Bossier Parish Community College’s Natchitoches campus.
Holden, who passed away in September 2023, played a pivotal role in shaping the cosmetology program and inspiring the next generation of beauty professionals. One of her proudest contributions was the creation of Student Salon Days, an initiative that allowed students to showcase their skills while serving the community. The new salon brings that vision to life permanently, offering affordable services to the public while giving students invaluable hands-on experience.
The Petula Holden Student Salon, located in Room 115 on the Natchitoches campus at 6587 Highway 1 Bypass, will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, August 19. It will operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a wide range of services including haircuts, coloring, styling, manicures, and pedicures. Services will be provided by cosmetology students under the supervision of licensed instructors, ensuring both professional quality and a safe learning environment.
All proceeds from salon services will go directly back into the cosmetology program, funding tools, supplies, and enhanced opportunities for students. In this way, each client helps carry forward Holden’s mission of nurturing talent and opening doors for future beauty industry professionals.
Holden’s colleagues and former students say the salon is more than a classroom—it is a tribute to her vision, her love for her students, and her belief in the transformative power of education. Through the Petula Holden Student Salon, her legacy will continue to shape lives for years to come.
For services and pricing information, visit bpcc.edu/salon.
