Teaching Beauty, Building Confidence
Inside Santa Monica College’s (SMC) cosmetology department, adjunct professor Jila Assadi moves from student to student, offering guidance, demonstrating techniques and sharing words of encouragement. Whether she teaches hair cutting, coloring or highlighting techniques, Assadi prioritizes positivity.
Her classroom is full of smiles.
“Professor Assadi has supported me by always helping me do my best and making sure I understand the techniques we learn in class," cosmetology student Maria Martinez said, calling Assadi “patient, supportive and kind.”
“My favorite thing about Professor Assadi is her attitude toward teaching and how much she cares about her students’ feelings,” Martinez said.
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Assadi came to the United States after the Iranian Revolution. Due to religious persecution against Baha'is after the Iranian Revolution, she was forced to leave and begin a new life in the United States.
She attended beauty school, built a successful career in cosmetology and in 1995, joined SMC. Since then, Assadi has dedicated her career to teaching and mentoring. She loves working with young people.
“You never grow old when you spend your days surrounded by youth and energy,” she said.
Cosmetology student Yasmin Ayala began attending the nail technology program during the fall semester of 2024. On Ayala’s first day, Assadi helped her find her classroom.
“Whenever I've felt swamped or stressed out internally, she’s got this wit where she’s made me laugh a few times or more and it makes things run smoothly especially in early morning hours,” Ayala said.
“She often compliments people on little things,” Ayala added, “whether it's my flower crowns, someone's hair color or other special quirks from the other students, which makes my day, 100 percent.”
For Assadi, teaching is more than showing students how to work in the beauty industry – it is also about helping them gain confidence. Her greatest reward is watching students grow professionally after leaving the classroom.
Ayala said, “She has given me valuable advice in terms of my hours where I’ll be finishing up soon, such as not doing anything illegal or out of my scope of practice as a future nail technician, and to find a salon that is sanitary – following state board rules and regulations as well as positive morale – as well as fully licensed and insured and that isn’t too far away from my neighborhood.”
“There is nothing better than seeing your students successful,” Assadi said. “They make money, and they go places, and everywhere I go they recognize me. It's beautiful.”
“My students and I have won many awards together, and I truly love my job,” she said. “It's a fantastic environment.”
