Monday, May 18, 2026
Not just skin deep: CVTC’s first aesthetician students prepare to graduate
It might sound weird, but Miah Klawiter really likes skin.
She’s not the only one.
Anna Roder has a thing for skin, too, as well as literally all of their classmates in the first-ever cohort of the Aesthetician – Advanced Practice program at Chippewa Valley Technical College, set to graduate on Thursday, May 21.
When that first class began two years ago, they stepped into a brand-new program filled with opportunity and uncertainty. Now, as graduation approaches, Klawiter and Roder are preparing to enter a growing industry with confidence and a strong foundation in science and client care.
For Klawiter, 27, who graduated from Eau Claire North in 2017 but recently moved to Stanley, the journey to aesthetics began after nearly four years working as a dental assistant.
“I was always interested in aesthetics. It’s what I love to do,” she said.
When she heard CVTC was launching the program, she enrolled immediately. As part of the first class, Klawiter wasn’t sure what to expect, but she quickly found the program exceeded her expectations.
“You hear aesthetics and think facials, but it goes so much deeper,” she said. “This program could be five years (long), and you would still be learning.”
That depth helped her discover her niche – waxing and treating acne.
“You don’t have to know everything,” she said. “You find what you love and grow in that area.”
Roder, 22, of Elk Mound, was drawn to the program for its blend of science and beauty.
After graduating from high school in 2022 and studying business at UW–Eau Claire, Roder made the switch to CVTC. She said the hands-on learning environment made all the difference.
“How are you supposed to know if you’re good at something if you’ve never actually done it?” she said.
Like Klawiter, Roder was surprised by the range of skills students develop in the program, from customized facials to advanced treatments like microneedling.
“It’s cool to see how in-depth you can actually go,” she said.
Both students emphasized the importance of understanding skin as part of overall health. “The skin is actually the biggest organ on your body,” Roder said. “Even something simple like wearing SPF every day and staying hydrated makes a difference.”
The program’s real-world focus is already paying off. Klawiter is working at Taylor Rose Aesthetics in Altoona. Roder recently accepted a position with Rescue Hydration in Eau Claire, where she will offer services ranging from chemical peels to advanced skin treatments.
As members of CVTC’s first graduating cohort in the program, both women say the experience has been meaningful.
“There’s never a time that I have felt uncomfortable asking questions or getting help,” Klawiter said. “It doesn’t even really feel like school. … It’s just so much fun.”
