Our leadership, educators, and staff work to offer you the most comprehensive education in the fields of cosmetology, esthetics, and massage therapy. We'd love to get to know you!
Owners
Darlene Shepherd - Owner
Darlene has more than 40 years of experience in project and product management and business unit development. With this experience, she helped found Oasis Salon and Day Spa in Joplin in 2001. Her involvement in Oasis brought about the idea of a private cosmetology arts and science school. As that salon grew, she spearheaded the construction of an 8,500-square-foot state-of-the-art facility devoted to training the next generation of salon and spa professionals. You will see Darlene at the Academy weekly and have the opportunity to see her involvement in the Academy's activities. Darlene is also a partner at Salon 529 in Joplin. Some of her business recognitions include having Oasis Salon and Day Spa named one of the top 200 salons in the nation in 2007-2008 by Salon Today, and being voted Small Business of the Year in 2007 by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.
Sherry Porter - Owner
As president and owner of City Pointe Beauty Academy, Sherry brings more than 30 years of experience in business education, marketing, and management to the school's growth and development. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Missouri Southern State University and her Associate of Arts in Marketing and Management from Crowder College. She oversees all aspects of the school, including student records, the student lab, hiring educators and support staff, curriculum, purchasing student materials and products, and marketing activities. She holds weekly office hours at the school and is devoted to students' success. Sherry is also a partner at Salon 529 in Joplin.
Justin Porter - Co-Owner, Treasurer, and Financial Aid Director
Justin graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduation, he began working at Mid-America Hardwoods as the lumber inventory manager and yard supervisor, and then advanced to assistant marketing manager. He also worked as a licensed insurance agent in 2008. In December of 2010, Justin accepted the position of Financial Aid Director at City Pointe Beauty Academy. Justin's experience in supervision and management serves him well when working with the students at the Academy. He works diligently to find the best payment options that fit each individual student.
Amanda Lansford - Co-Owner, Vice President, and Lead Educator
Amanda Lansford began her career at City Pointe Beauty Academy, graduating from the Cosmetology program in January 2012. After working at Regis Salon until September 2014, she returned to City Pointe as an educator and earned her instructor's license in January 2015.
Now a proud part-owner of City Pointe Beauty Academy, Amanda continues to share her passion for the industry through mentorship and advanced education. She specializes in curly and textured hair and is strongly committed to helping others embrace and enhance their natural beauty.
Amanda is a Redken Color Specialist and holds certifications in Bellami Extensions, Surface Awaken, Surface Curl, and the Mizani Aircut. She has also trained with celebrity makeup artist Lipstick Nick through her Master Makeup Class, continuously pursuing new techniques and trends to bring the best to her students and clients.
Darcy Kisling - Co-Owner, Secretary, Academy Director, Cosmetology, and Esthetics Educator
Darcy began her career as a cosmetology student here at City Pointe Beauty Academy. After graduation, she worked for Dr. Fly's Salon in Carthage before returning to City Pointe to complete the instructor training course. She began teaching in the spring of 2015 and later expanded her expertise by completing the Esthetics program, becoming dual licensed.
Since becoming an educator, Darcy has continued to advance her skills through multiple certifications, including Lash Training with Fabulash Faces, Surface Curl, Surface Awaken, Mizani Aircut, and Bellami Pro Extensions, as well as earning her Redken Color Specialist certification. She has also completed multiple Summit Business Trainings, further strengthening her leadership and business knowledge within the industry.
Now a proud part-owner of City Pointe Beauty Academy, Darcy's passion for education and growth shines through in everything she does. She is dedicated to inspiring excellence in her students, supporting her fellow educators, and contributing to the continued success and development of the academy and its community.
Financial Aid and Admissions
Justin Porter - Co-Owner, Treasurer, and Financial Aid Director
Justin graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduation, he began working at Mid-America Hardwoods as the lumber inventory manager and yard supervisor, and then advanced to assistant marketing manager. He also worked as a licensed insurance agent in 2008. In December of 2010, Justin accepted the position of Financial Aid Director at City Pointe Beauty Academy. Justin's experience in supervision and management serves him well when working with the students at the Academy. He works diligently to find the best payment options that fit each individual student.
Katheryn Richards - Financial Aid Administrator, Anatomy, and Physiology Educator
Since earning her nursing degree and becoming a Registered Nurse in 2012, Katheryn has dedicated her life to helping others across the healthcare spectrum. She worked in rehabilitation and long-term care settings and assisted with teaching an ADN simulation lab. After taking a break from healthcare and debating a career change in 2016, the opportunity to become an Anatomy and Physiology educator came to her attention by serendipity. City Pointe Beauty Academy has afforded her the opportunity to educate others about the form and function of the human body and to pass along the gifts she gained during her education. In 2021, she also took on the role of Financial Aid Administrator at the Academy, splitting her time between classroom instruction and assisting students with their financial aid needs. Katheryn continues with personal educational goals, one of which is to obtain a master's degree in both education and science.
Paige Merriman - Admissions Coordinator
Paige began her career at City Pointe Beauty Academy in October 2024 as the Admissions Coordinator. In March 2025, she took on the role of also running all of their Social Media Accounts. With over six years of customer service experience and a passion for connecting with people, Paige works to welcome and enroll aspiring beauty professionals, helping them take the first step toward their careers. She is dedicated to building strong community relationships that create new opportunities for students and support them throughout their education, graduation, and licensing journey. Paige is passionate about helping others turn their dreams into reality and make beauty and wellness their business.
Educators
Amanda Lansford - Co-Owner, Vice President, and Lead Educator
Amanda Lansford began her career at City Pointe Beauty Academy, graduating from the Cosmetology program in January 2012. After working at Regis Salon until September 2014, she returned to City Pointe as an educator and earned her instructor's license in January 2015.
Now a proud part-owner of City Pointe Beauty Academy, Amanda continues to share her passion for the industry through mentorship and advanced education. She specializes in curly and textured hair and is strongly committed to helping others embrace and enhance their natural beauty.
Amanda is a Redken Color Specialist and holds certifications in Bellami Extensions, Surface Awaken, Surface Curl, and the Mizani Aircut. She has also trained with celebrity makeup artist Lipstick Nick through her Master Makeup Class, continuously pursuing new techniques and trends to bring the best to her students and clients.
Katheryn Richards - Financial Aid Administrator, Anatomy, and Physiology Educator
Since earning her nursing degree and becoming a Registered Nurse in 2012, Katheryn has dedicated her life to helping others across the healthcare spectrum. She worked in rehabilitation and long-term care settings and assisted with teaching an ADN simulation lab. After taking a break from healthcare and debating a career change in 2016, the opportunity to become an Anatomy and Physiology educator came to her attention by serendipity. City Pointe Beauty Academy has afforded her the opportunity to educate others about the form and function of the human body and to pass along the gifts she gained during her education. In 2021, she also took on the role of Financial Aid Administrator at the Academy, splitting her time between classroom instruction and assisting students with their financial aid needs. Katheryn continues with personal educational goals, one of which is to obtain a master's degree in both education and science.
Christian Clark - Spa Floor Lead, Cosmetology, and Esthetics Educator
Christian graduated from City Pointe Beauty Academy's Cosmetology program in 2021 and began working in the associates' program at Dr. Fly's Salon and Day Spa in Joplin. Christian returned to City Pointe in 2022 to complete the educator program. During her time at City Pointe Beauty Academy, she furthered her education in extensions and blonding and obtained her Esthetician license. Now holding that license, Christian is excited to teach foundational and advanced skin techniques.
Krystal Gonzales - LMT, Massage Therapy Foundations Educator
Krystal graduated from the Massage Therapy program at City Pointe Beauty Academy in January 2018. She opened her own business, Dire Knead Massage Therapy in Aurora, Missouri, immediately after graduation. Her therapeutic focus in Massage is migraines, headaches, and pain management. Krystal returned to City Pointe in June 2023 as the Massage Foundations Educator and CPR Instructor. She has since become Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Her passion is cultivating compassion, dignity, acceptance, and healing in her students so that when they leave City Pointe Beauty Academy, they will build strong therapeutic relationships with future clients.
Samantha Button - Cosmetology Educator, Lead Nail Educator, and Instructor Training Coordinator
Samantha graduated from City Pointe Beauty Academy as a level 4 stylist from the Cosmetology program in October 2021. Following graduation, she opened her own suite, Sun City Beauty, in Nevada, Missouri. Samantha returned to City Pointe in November 2023 to complete the Instructor program, graduating and obtaining that license in May 2024. Her biggest hope as an educator is to inspire students to follow their dreams. She wants to develop passionate and creative future stylists while teaching the foundations of hair cutting and color application. During her time as an Instructor at City Pointe Beauty Academy, Samantha helped establish the Nail Technology program. Samantha spends her time with those students, focusing on teaching safe application and preparation to keep nails healthy and strong.
Ash Porter - Cosmetology Educator
Ash began attending City Pointe Beauty Academy in July 2022 and graduated from the Cosmetology program in November 2023 as a level 4 stylist. After graduation, they began working as stylists at Salon 529 & Day Spa in Joplin, MO. Ash is currently a Level 2 Stylist specializing in haircuts, lived-in color, vivids, and haircuts for children with special needs. They returned to City Pointe Beauty Academy in November 2024 to begin the Instructor Program, graduating in June 2025. Ash loves teaching the next generation of stylists. Their goal is to encourage and support students on their journeys to find their own beauty within, while also bringing beauty into the world one guest at a time.
Tayler Simmons - Cosmetology Educator
Tayler began her career at City Pointe Beauty Academy in 2019 and graduated from the Cosmetology program in 2020 as a level 3 stylist. Tayler quickly moved into a local salon – Dr. Fly's Salon and Day Spa in Joplin, MO. After 3 years working in that Salon, in 2022, Tayler decided to take her skills and open her own suite at The City Salon Suites in Joplin. Tayler returned to City Pointe Beauty Academy in 2025, where she currently works as an instructor. Tayler's hope as an educator is to inspire and show students that they can achieve the goals they set for themselves.
Britney Isley - Salon Floor Lead and Cosmetology Educator
Britney graduated from the Cosmetology program at City Pointe Beauty Academy in 2015. While in school, she became certified as a Redken Specialist. She then began working at Oasis Salon and Day Spa under a master stylist. During this time, she was certified in Perfectress Extensions and Brazilian Blowouts. After a few years at Oasis, she decided to become an independent stylist at Textur Salon and Day Spa in Joplin, Missouri. In 2019, she furthered her career by earning an instructor’s license and became an educator at City Pointe Beauty Academy. During her time as an educator, she has received multiple certifications in Bellami Pro Extensions, Surface Awaken, and Surface Advanced Cutting. Britney has a passion for learning and educating others. She specializes in color and extensions.
Darcy Kisling - Co-Owner, Secretary, Academy Director, Cosmetology, and Esthetics Educator
Darcy began her career as a cosmetology student here at City Pointe Beauty Academy. After graduation, she worked for Dr. Fly’s Salon in Carthage before returning to City Pointe to complete the instructor training course. She began teaching in the spring of 2015 and later expanded her expertise by completing the Esthetics program, becoming dual licensed.
Since becoming an educator, Darcy has continued to advance her skills through multiple certifications, including Lash Training with Fabulash Faces, Surface Curl, Surface Awaken, Mizani Aircut, and Bellami Pro Extensions, as well as earning her Redken Color Specialist certification. She has also completed multiple Summit Business Trainings, further strengthening her leadership and business knowledge within the industry.
Now a proud part-owner of City Pointe Beauty Academy, Darcy's passion for education and growth shines through in everything she does. She is dedicated to inspiring excellence in her students, supporting her fellow educators, and contributing to the continued success and development of the academy and its community.
Front Desk
Justin Lucietta - Front Desk Coordinator
After graduating from Class Act 1 Cosmetology School in 1994, Justin spent some 20 years in the industry in many different capacities, working as a stylist and color specialist at a high-end day spa and as a makeup artist at Glamour Shots. After a back injury ended his career behind the chair, he tried his hand at retail management for several years before returning to the salon world he loves. He joined City Pointe Beauty Academy in 2020 as a part-time receptionist and was promoted to full-time front desk manager in 2021. He enjoys working closely with our students and guests to keep things running smoothly.