AESTHETICS INSTITUTE
Instructor Bios
President & Founder
“We invest our time and resources back into the Institute because we care about and believe in our students and their success.”
Cynthia R. Mendoza
- President and School Founder
- Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) Diplomat
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Cynthia Mendoza has dedicated her life to the pursuit of teaching excellence in esthetics all over the world. She began her career in 1981 as an Electrologist before graduating from the Pendleton College of Beauty in 1982. As she learned and gained experience in the developing field of esthetics, Mrs. Mendoza began to see a demand for up-to-date and technology-based education. She moved to Portland in 1984 and began what is now the Aesthetics Institute in 1985.
During her time growing and evolving the school, Mrs. Mendoza has written an advanced esthetics manual and designed the curriculum used at the Institute from the ground up. She holds her CIDESCO International Diploma, has offered her services as a lecturer at the Oregon Health Sciences University to Dermatology students, written for the Electrology Association Newspaper, and assisted in building the Advanced Esthetics Boards curriculum.
Mrs. Mendoza believes dedicating time to the core science of this industry is imperative to the developing professional and knows what it takes to be a successful professional in today’s growing and changing industry. She believes in reinvesting in the school to provide her students with the most up-to-date equipment and technology possible. Her teaching philosophy ensures that students leave prepared for the real world.
“Everyone learns differently and this school was founded on the idea that we can meet those needs. It has been such a privilege and honor to help so many people start their careers in esthetics. I am so proud of our instructors and all the graduates of the Aesthetics Institute!”
Director of Education
“I believe that it is our professional responsibility to teach to the highest standard.”
Monique is a 1999 graduate of the Aesthetics Institute and was proudly featured in the magazine Nails as the youngest nail technology license holder in the United States. She is a CIDESCO International Diplomat, Master Aesthetician, Certified Advanced Esthetician, and a member of NECA (National Esthetician Certification Advanced Training), Professional Beauty Association (PBA), National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) among many other association and organization affiliations.
Growing up being around and then in the beauty industry, Monique was able to see all of the technological development and change as it occurred, in real-time. It gave her a unique understanding of the industry and its lack. She loved the bond that she was able to create with clients and felt that her experience could give insight to both prospective students and professionals alike. Her vision of a technical school that could provide the same depth of education as a formal college was then born, and it has been the driving force behind the Aesthetics Institute since.
Monique has made it her mission to keep the Aesthetics Institute on the cutting edge. Her belief in excellence led her to create unique courses which go above and beyond state requirements.
“I believe that it is our professional responsibility to teach to the highest standard. I hear people all the time say, ‘you will learn once you start working’ or ‘go somewhere [beauty school] fast”. If you want to be seen as a professional and work in the top tier of the industry, you need to take time and invest in yourself. Unlike any other, this is an industry with so many different directions you can grow your career. Having a great education is always going to be a huge factor in your overall success and put you ahead of the rest”.
Monique Raab
- Director of Education
- Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) Diplomat
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Assistant Director
“Students are encouraged to ask questions, delve deep into the technology, and ultimately make mistakes, without the fear of reprimand or punishment.”
Laura Larrabee
- Assistant Director
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Laura graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in Business and discovered her love of teaching while obtaining her master’s degree in English at Portland State University. While working at the Portland State Publishing house, she developed her passion for education which she has carried with her into her career at Aesthetics Institute.
Laura, a graduate of Aesthetics Institute, returned to pass on knowledge and skill after working in the industry as an advanced esthetician for many years. While working in the industry, Laura built her skills as an educator, often training co-workers and creating protocols. Laura’s experience with corrective and advanced esthetics has driven her desire to teach the best techniques possible.
“We spend a great deal of energy and effort to create and foster a ‘culture of inquiry’ here at the Aesthetics Institute. It means our school is a safe place for learning, making mistakes, and overcoming challenges. Students are encouraged to ask questions, delve deep into the technology, and ultimately make mistakes, without the fear of reprimand or punishment. My goal as a teacher is for my students to be prepared for the ‘real world’. I will say the same thing a 100 different times in a 100 different ways until we find a path to understanding. The confidence to apply what you learn here is vital to the success of our students.”
Licensed Esthetics Instructor
“I want each one of my students to leave the Institute with confidence that they are highly trained and ready for any challenges ahead of them!”
Raquel Schalck began as an instructor at the Aesthetics Institute in 2011 after attending the Institute and then working in the industry for many years. She has worked as both an independent esthetician with a private practice and also at a number of prominent and well-known spas and salons in the Portland area.
“I absolutely love making my clients feel better about themselves through advanced skincare treatments and with lash extensions”, Raquel recounts of her time working as a professional esthetician. “I wanted to be an esthetician to build from my client’s own natural beauty and then to help them to expand upon that beauty to make them feel even more gorgeous and confident.”
Raquel attended the Aesthetics Institute because she “felt it was one of the best schools around that provided so many different kinds of classes and services, so I could have a better understanding of skincare and know what I wanted to focus on in my career.” She also knew that the hands-on training also offered was vital for her to become the esthetician she is today.
Raquel has enjoyed returning to teaching esthetics and wants her students to understand the science behind the skincare services they are learning. With skincare always evolving, her goal is to keep her students informed about new trends and technology. As an educator, she is pleased she can continue to learn and grow in her field and to be able to share her knowledge with new and upcoming estheticians.
“It is pretty incredible to come full circle, from being a student at the Aesthetics Institute to working in the industry for many years to now being back helping students learn how to be top-notch professionals who love this field. I want each one of my students to leave the Institute with confidence that they are highly trained and ready for any challenges ahead of them!”
Raquel Schalck
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
Lead Advanced Esthetics Instructor
“It is so awesome to watch something ‘click’ in someone’s head just because you explained it a certain way. Not everyone learns the same way…so when I figure out what really worked for that specific student, it’s truly a great feeling!”
Tashuana Carter
- Lead Advanced Esthetics Instructor
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Tashauna is a Certified Advanced Esthetician who is highly passionate about the esthetics industry. She graduated from the Aesthetics Institute in early 2018 and immediately specialized in waxing before returning to the Institute to earn her Advanced Esthetics Certification.
After working in the professional esthetics industry, where she specialized in body contouring and other advanced esthetics services, she was thrilled to accept a position at the Aesthetics Institute. She always takes every opportunity to learn more about the industry, whether it’s skincare products or lasers, and she loves passing that knowledge on to her students.
Tashauna has been interested in esthetics since she was little. Her mother went to cosmetology school for hair, and she always thought it looked like so much fun. She took full cosmetology classes throughout high school, intending to do hair but fell in love with skin instead.
On attending beauty school instead of a traditional four-year university, she has this to say: “I’ve had so many reactions from people when they find out what I went to school for, who assume that people who go to school for trades were not smart enough to go to college, but I’ve worked alongside some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met while working in this industry.”
“Skin is complicated, and everyone’s skin is different. Almost everyone I know has struggled with some sort of skin issue, and no two persons’ problems have been the same. It takes a decent amount of intelligence to figure out the issue going on with someone’s skin and how to correct the issue for them.”
One of her favorite moments of being an instructor at the Aesthetics Institute is seeing a student go from struggling with a subject to having that “aha!” moment. “It is so awesome to watch something ‘click’ in someone’s head just because you explained it a certain way. Not everyone learns the same way, and one subject may have to be taught in three different methods for everyone to learn it correctly. So when I figure out what really worked for that specific student, it’s truly a great feeling!”
On taking the plunge and committing to attend an esthetics school, Tashauna has some parting advice for prospective students:
“Don’t let your fear and insecurities get in the way! I’ve let anxiety get in the way of so much in my life. Attending the Aesthetics Institute was one of the first times in my life I was able to gain confidence in myself and my abilities. It still took quite a while before I was able not to be scared to death to touch someone’s face. Once that fear faded away, I regretted not just going for it sooner! I had so much more fun once I was able to relax and enjoy my time at school.”
Licensed Esthetics Instructor
“Being an esthetician is a lot of hard work. When your training is over, whether you’re starting your own business or trying to find a job, you must build a strong clientele base and develop a network of other professionals to help you be a successful esthetician.”
Bailee Meng is “absolutely obsessed” with making people feel as beautiful and confident as possible. After many years of soul-searching and career hopping, she started her beauty and skin-loving journey in 2019. Luckily, Bailee quickly realized she had finally found her passion in esthetics.
She completed her general esthetics training at Portland Beauty School and immediately started her advanced esthetics training in 2020 at the Aesthetics Institute. Bailee was passionate about getting her advanced esthetics training so she could begin offering elevated services that focus more on skin revision.
She realized halfway through her training she wanted to start her own business, and that’s what she did. Bailee graduated from the Aesthetics Institute in October 2020 and opened her business in November of the same year.
She hit the ground running with her career and never looked back. Bailee is currently a part-time instructor at the Aesthetics Institute and also runs her own successful esthetics business in downtown Oregon City.
When asked what she wished more people knew before starting their esthetics careers, she has some well-earned advice. “Being an esthetician is a lot of hard work. When your training is over, whether you’re starting your own business or trying to find a job, you must build a strong clientele base and develop a network of other professionals to help you be a successful esthetician.”
She continued, “A career in esthetics can be extremely gratifying if you’re willing to put in the work. Also, learn everything! Even if you think you only want to do lashes, waxing, or focus on a single service after you graduate, you should still try everything. Give it your all to finding what makes you happy; that attitude will lead you to what you’re good at doing, too. Knowledge is power, and you can never stop learning!”
Bailee Meng
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
- Certified Advanced Esthetics Instructor (CAEI)
Licensed Esthetics Instructor
“Esthetics is not just simply about how skin appears on the outside. Skin is a complex organ, and we teach students how to treat and care for it properly.”
Jade Mora
- Licensed Esthetics Instructor (LEI)
As a Certified Advanced Esthetician and Phlebotomist specializing in skin health and antiaging, Jade Mora is confident in addressing all aspects of skincare from the inside out. She approaches each student and client with the goal of helping them care for their skin so it functions as it should.
Jade did not always know she wanted to become a professional esthetician. “I’ve always been interested in all things beauty and medical related, but it wasn’t until I started seeing an esthetician regularly that I even considered going to school for it. I didn’t come out of college intending to work in esthetics. I went to school for Anthropology and then worked in retail before becoming a stay-at-home mom. It wasn’t until my kids were toddlers that I returned to school to become an esthetician.”
Jade attended the Aesthetics Institute and completed her education in both the Masters and Advanced Esthetics programs. “I chose to attend the Aesthetics Institute because it offered the most robust curriculum and most manageable schedule out of all the schools I looked at. Coming into this industry, I had no idea what would interest me most, so I wanted to learn all of the extras.”
Immediately after graduating, she started working at a high-end medical spa and quickly established her niche as a top provider in the area. Some of her all-time favorite treatments to perform are microneedling and fractional laser resurfacing. After finding esthetics a rewarding and exciting career choice, she thrived in the industry. “I fell in love with connecting with clients and changing how they feel about their skin. Often, clients express not feeling confident about their appearance, and I find so much joy in teaching them to love and feel confident again in their skin.”
More recently, Jade has returned to the Institute as an instructor and thrives in her interactions with both students and clients. She is passionate about introducing students to the wide-ranging professional industry encompassing esthetics and the myriad career options they will encounter when they graduate. But she often feels the beauty industry is not given the respect it rightly deserves.
“Esthetics is not just simply about how skin appears on the outside. Skin is a complex organ, and we teach students how to treat and care for it properly. So much of this industry, including how products are formulated to the double-blind studies done on collagen production after a microneedling treatment, is based on highly technical skincare science. It’s not just about fluffy facials.”
As an instructor, Jade takes her role seriously. “Esthetics is a gratifying field heavily focused on educating people. It is my responsibility to introduce students to the fundamentals of healthy skin care and all of the treatments they can learn and deploy. Students need to become experts in this industry, not only so they can provide services to their clients, but also so they can educate and inform them of how to best to take care of their skin.”
Jade thoroughly enjoys the team of instructors she teaches with at the Institute. “Everyone who works here is incredibly invested in their careers as instructors, and we truly get excited to pour our knowledge into students. My favorite part about working here is learning from my fellow instructors. We all have different specialties and focuses, which means we have so much to learn from each other, no matter how long we’ve been in the industry.”
Director of Admissions & Alumni Relations
“I really enjoy the opportunities I have each day to speak with prospective students and their families and hear about their career hopes and dreams.”
Colette Neva
- Director of Admissions & Alumni Relations
Colette Neva joins the Aesthetics Institute as the Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations after her most recent position as the school’s Clinic Coordinator and also as the District Manager of European Wax Centers in the Portland area. In her previous role at European Wax Centers, Colette had the opportunity to travel to places like Louisiana and Oklahoma to launch new stores and to train the front-of-house staff and managers.
But her path in the beauty industry started when she completed cosmetology school when she was 21, thinking she only wanted to do hair. She knew she wanted a career making people smile and feel confident, so after graduating, she quickly started working at the Cannon Beach Spa, where the salon area was being remodeled.
Because of the construction, this meant the majority of the services she performed on clients at the beginning of her career were facials. Because of this, Colette found her passion was truly in skincare and esthetics.
After working in Cannon Beach for a year, Colette took time off from working in the beauty industry to raise her family. When her children were a bit older, she decided to return to the workforce, but this time, she wanted to pursue a career in skincare.
Because of her break from the beauty industry and her desire to learn the newest and most relevant services and skincare techniques, she knew she needed to return to school. But this time, she wanted to focus exclusively on esthetics.
When asked what factors she considered when choosing to attend the Aesthetics Institute, Colette had this response. “That was an easy decision. This school has top-of-the-line equipment and professional products. No other schools could offer what was available to me here. When I came for my tour, I could see and feel the positive learning environment that the school had cultivated. It was no contest for me when I decided to attend the Aesthetics Institute, and I am so glad I did.”
As for being the Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at the school, Colette had some difficulty narrowing down her favorite part of the job. “I love all the people that I get to interact with at The Aesthetics Institute! The clients, the instructors, the students, and the entire staff! But I really enjoy the opportunities I haveeach day to speak with prospective students and their families and hear about their career hopes and dreams. I also love it when past students come in for services or to pick up products and share their post-graduate success stories with me!”
Clinic Coordinator
“The Aesthetics Institute is a great option for anyone passionate about esthetics, eager to learn and grow professionally, planning a career focused on skincare, and being an expert in their craft.”
Ashley Yandell’s journey through the beauty industry has been extensive! From her early exposure to cosmetics to her diverse experiences in various roles in this field, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her position as Clinic Coordinator at the Aesthetics Institute.
After attending college and working at MAC in Las Vegas, Ashley moved back to Oregon to assist with opening two new retail locations for MAC in Eugene and Medford. Around this time, she decided to explore more career options beyond cosmetics and became a Licensed Esthetician while living in Eugene.
Shortly after becoming licensed, she dabbled in Advanced Esthetics by taking a weeklong course that introduced her to lasers, advanced chemical peels, and other advanced services (before Advanced Esthetics school programs were available in the state). This brief introduction helped her know this was the industry in which she wanted to pursue a career.
Thinking back to her start in the world of beauty, Ashley “fell in love with this industry the first time my mom took me to a cosmetics counter in the mall and one of the retail makeup artists tried a few products on me. I was immediately obsessed with the creativity and transformation aspect of it all. It opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities and brought forth confidence in a way I hadn’t experienced before.”
Ashley has been enjoying her busy and fast-paced role as Clinic Coordinator, helping keep students and clients organized and scheduled for school services. When pressed about the highlights of her new position, she had some difficulty narrowing down her favorite parts.
“I really enjoy meeting and chatting with clients and helping them choose services that best serve their skincare goals. I also love getting to know our students and seeing them become more and more confident in their knowledge and skill sets as they progress through their programs. I have fun in the building every day because I respect and admire my co-workers. They all have unique and extensive experience in the esthetics industry, and I am always learning something new from them!”
As someone who took her own circuitous journey to attending esthetics school, she has this advice for those considering attending a program. “There are so many routes you can take with a career in esthetics. The industry is always evolving and ever-changing. One of the many benefits of attending a school that only focuses on esthetics is you get to experience a lot of different services, skills, and professional products that will help you feel confident when you start working out in the real world.”
“The Aesthetics Institute is a great option for anyone passionate about esthetics, eager to learn and grow professionally, planning a career focused on skincare, and being an expert in their craft.”
Ashley Yandell
- Clinic Coordinator
Social Media Content Creation & Social Media
“I wanted to feel comfortable and prepared as I was heading into a new chapter of my life, and that is the same goal I have for all the prospective students I meet!”
Claire Newrones joins the Aesthetics Institute as our Social Media Content Creator, managing all of our social media accounts and specifically our very popular TikTok account. Claire is uniquely qualified to help people start navigating the world of esthetics, as she is a graduate of the Institute. Passionate about skincare and helping people, this role fits nicely into many of her interests.
“I always had a love for the world of beauty and for connecting with people. I really like the idea of working for myself one day, meeting new people, and providing services where people get to relax while receiving them. Plus, they get to enjoy the results even after it’s over. I know I love the way I feel after getting a facial, lashes, or a chemical peel.”
Prospective students have many options when it comes to selecting a beauty school and esthetics program, so it becomes even more important for people to take the time to research each school and ask questions when they go on a campus visit. Claire believes taking a wider view of the school’s overall education philosophy and training style is critical in helping them choose the school that best aligns with their goals.
She recommends asking lots of questions, looking at online reviews, reading all the information available on school websites, and diving into as much social media insight as they can about potential schools. All of this research combined should help students choose the school that is the best fit for them. As for Claire’s experience selecting to attend the Aesthetics Institute, she had some help.
“I had two very good friends who previously attended the Institute and loved it. When they graduated, they both got jobs that they really loved as well. I was so grateful to be able to ask them questions about the school, the online learning component, and what it was like when you came into the building for the hands-on training. I knew I could gain certification in far more services and, at the same time, truly have a full understanding of them as well. I wanted to feel comfortable and prepared as I was heading into a new chapter of my life, and that is the same goal I have for all the prospective students I meet!”
As for Claire’s actual tour of the building, she remembers feeling welcomed, feeling a little overwhelmed, but learning a lot. “I could tell the school went far more in-depth with their education and training than all the other schools I had looked at, and that is what I wanted. It was so important to know more than just the basics and be confident in the skills I was learning. I didn’t want to just get certified, I wanted to be comfortable and assured of my abilities to help my clients.”
Once a person chooses to attend the Institute and starts their training, she has this final advice. “I think students should consider their future professional goals and take advantage of the resources the Aesthetics Institute offers in career planning and business. There is so much to learn to be a successful esthetician outside of the treatment room, including social media marketing, business development, and other professional skills meant to set up graduates for long-term success. We teach all of that here, and students should learn it all!”
Claire Newrones
- Social Media & Marketing
Director of Communications
“The beauty industry offers opportunities and a worldwide community of individuals ready to hire and support our graduates, and I am very happy to be even a tiny part of that.”
Ryan Klute
- Director of Communications
Ryan joins the Aesthetics Institute from the world of higher education and marketing and is having a great time learning about the beauty industry and all the career opportunities it offers its graduates.
“Before taking on this position, I suppose I had a “treat ‘yo self” idea about the beauty industry. And while there is nothing wrong with some self-pampering, I continue to be blown away by the level of science and technology that goes into what we teach our students about skincare and esthetics. From acne scars to other serious skin ailments, it is pretty incredible to watch our students help our clients begin to feel comfortable again in their own skin!”
As an instructor, Ryan taught at Portland State University as well as Konkuk University in South Korea. He also spent one year as a kindergarten teacher, and while he claims to have “loved it,” he also says “never again.” He brings his experience in college admissions and public relations to his role at the Aesthetics Institute, as well.
“I love coming to the school every day because, in many ways, I feel the excitement of being a student myself in this industry. I really enjoy the opportunity to sit in on classes and hands-on demonstrations while learning from our super talented instructors. I also am not complaining about all of the skin services I have received at the school. I mean, the students have to practice, right?”
Ryan is proud to be part of a team that provides high-quality education and career training to a diverse group of students. “I believe people should not have to go six figures into debt to receive an education that will allow them to support themselves and their families. I know that is what we are accomplishing at our school and I love being part of our student’s success.”
Ryan looks forward to continuing his education in the beauty industry and watching the school grow while adding additional programs for new and returning students and graduates. “The beauty industry offers opportunities and a worldwide community of individuals ready to hire and support our graduates, and I am very happy to be even a tiny part of that.”