Phillips Hairstyling Institute is celebrating its 27th year in business and is the only private beauty school within a 70-mile radius of Syracuse. “At one time there were five private beauty schools in Syracuse,” explains Steven C. Phillips, owner and director. “For the past 10 years we have been the only one.” Phillips graduated from the school he now owns at 709 E. Genesee St. and is proud of the quality of graduates the school has produced since his purchase in 1981. The outlook for careers in the beauty industry is very promising. The beauty industry continues to evolve, broadening its scope and employing ever larger numbers of licensed professionals. The beauty industry offers a wide choice of career opportunities like: working in a salon as a stylist, manager or owner; working for a manufacturer as a researcher, educator or sales associate; working in the entertainment industry for TV, motion pictures or live theater; working in a school as a teacher, director or owner.

The State University of New York Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) is SUNY’s only institute of technology. More than 2,800 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology, professional studies and the liberal arts on the SUNYIT campus, a high-tech learning environment on more than 800 acres in Marcy, minutes from Thruway Exit 31, Utica. SUNYIT students come from all over New York, many other states and more than 20 nations; a growing number of students are enrolled in online courses and degree programs. Established by the SUNY Board of Trustees on June 14, 1966, SUNYIT, Edic Road, Utica, was originally a graduate and upper-division institution. The college offered classes in temporary locations and at extension sites for several years until the first buildings were constructed on the permanent campus in the 1980s. Planning is under way for three major campus buildings: a $13 million student center, a $20 million field house and a $27.5 million technology center. A multimillion dollar renovation of Kunsela Hall, the first campus building, was completed in 2007. The $14 million Cayan Library was dedicated in 2003.

SUNY Oswego recently opened its first satellite facility in downtown Syracuse in the Atrium, 2 Clinton Square. Up to 500 students per week are expected to attend graduate and professional development classes at the SUNY Oswego Metro Center, said Yvonne Petrella, dean of extended learning. She said she anticipates that the facility will operate seven days a week to support professional development programs, customized training, graduate courses and small business consulting. The launch of the Metro Center coincided with the start of 2008 Summer Sessions on May 27. Initially, six master of business administration (MBA) and education courses were offered, and more will be added for the fall semester.

University College is Syracuse University’s base of operation for SU part-time undergraduate students. Part-time students can pursue a degree from most of SU’s schools through University College (UC).Through UC, SU offers a variety of degree programs, certificates and noncredit courses in formats tailored to the busy schedules of working adults. Courses are offered in the evenings, during the day, online and through flexible formats such as Weekend College or accelerated and condensed courses.