# @academyofhairdesignok on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DX-7PJOOZf7
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65720041-academyofhairdesignok-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ec433cbed4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-06T04:08:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Academy of Hair Design~OK (@academyofhairdesignok) — https://gondola.cc/academyofhairdesignok

## Caption

My name is Shelly Gitthens.�I’m a hairdresser, salon owner, and school owner in Oklahoma City.

As an 18-year-old girl from Ponca City, I never could have imagined that one day I’d become a partner in Duncan Bros. Salon — a family-owned business established in 1969 — and later help open The Academy of Hair Design in 2005.

This industry gave me a career, confidence, lifelong relationships, and the opportunity to mentor others.

Through Duncan Bros. Salon, I’ve served generations of families and worked with the best hairdressers in the industry. 

Through the Academy of Hair Design, we’ve built a team with true purpose and connection, deeply invested in our students.

We’ve watched students walk in unsure of themselves and leave with confidence, a career, and a future. Many have gone on to open their own salons, creating opportunities for others.

But right now, that opportunity is being threatened.

The Department of Education’s Gainful Employment metrics, tied to the AHEAD proposal, could cause cosmetology and barber schools to lose access to federal student aid.

For many students, financial aid is what makes career education possible.
Nationwide, 92.5% of cosmetology and barber programs are projected to fail these metrics.

Here in Oklahoma, all 84 accredited schools failed the preliminary audits. 

When the numbers are that extreme, the problem is not the schools.

The problem is the metric.

This impacts students, salons, clients, communities, and a workforce made up largely of women — many needing flexible career options.

We are not against accountability, we welcome it, but accountability must be fair, accurate, and appropriate for our industry.

This is more than hair.
This is education.�This is livelihood.�This is opportunity.

And this industry is worth fighting for.

#MySecretImpact  #unitedasone #aacs

## Stats

- **Views:** 611
- **Likes:** 70
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 4

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Academy of Hair Design~OK | @academyofhairdesignok | https://gondola.cc/academyofhairdesignok | School |
| kyliediiane | @kyliediiane | https://gondola.cc/kyliediiane | Video Editor |
| kyliediiane | @kyliediiane | https://gondola.cc/kyliediiane | Marketing Specialist |

## Tags

mysecretimpact, unitedasone, aacs

---
Copyright (c) Gondola