20 Years of The Cosmetology Academy!
This year, we’re lighting 20 candles on the cake for The Cosmetology Academy, marking two decades since we first opened our doors back in Fall 2003. Our journey in the…
23 Years of Training the Most Incredible Creative People in the Industry!
A few years back DEC was planning a 20 Year Celebration of Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program. That event was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. On November 10,…
The DEC Story
Douglas Business College was established in 1904 by Warren Douglas as a business and secretarial school. It later became Douglas School of Business Inc. and was incorporated on January 31,…
College Recruiting Coming Back
As things open back up in this world, DEC is happy to once again be able to meet potential students and their families to help provide information and options as…
Post Secondary Schools Creating Safe Environments
Thank you Mon Valley Independent for featuring DEC in their article for Post Secondary Schools Creating Safe Environments. We pride ourselves in creating and maintaining a safe environment for students and…
Dads Matter to DEC
Fathers from three counties in southwestern Pennsylvania will have an opportunity to train for their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for free thanks to funding provided by the Department of Health…
Jeff Imbrescia, CEO/President of Douglas Education Center – 32 Years of Leadership!
“I had to learn on the job,” says Jeff Imbrescia, CEO and President of Douglas Education Center (DEC), talking about his beginnings as the owner what was then called Douglas…
20 Years of Training the Most Incredible Creative People in the Industry!
When a mutual friend introduced Tom Savini and Douglas Education Center (DEC) President Jeffrey D. Imbrescia over twenty years ago who could have known what was in store? Surely not…
Douglas Education Center Covid-19 Campus Safety
Douglas Education Center is committed to providing safe and healthy facilities for our students, employees, and visitors to ensure the lowest likelihood of COVID-19 exposure while maintaining the highest level…
Increased Demand Post-COVID-19 Threatens Trucker Shortage
According to the American Trucking Associations, the labor shortage in the U.S. trucking industry (in terms of unfilled positions) is roughly 60,000 drivers. As recently as late April, 27 states…
Jeff Imbrescia, CEO/President of Douglas Education Center – 31 Years of Changing Lives!
Today DEC staff is celebrating Mr. Imbrescia’s 31 years at the helm. His vision and persistence has transformed an old secretarial school into a premiere career school. We can all…
Scholarships Equal Money for School
If you’re looking for ways to help fund your educational dreams your help might be right in front of you the whole time. Did you know that Douglas Education Center…
DEC Hosts Movie Premier
Douglas Education Center isn’t just where students can learn to make movies, it’s also where they can watch the final production. On June 13th, DEC held a movie premier for…
DEC Cuts The Ribbon on the Massage Therapy Program
Another day, another ribbon cutting ceremony signaling expansion and growth here at Douglas Education Center. This time, DEC invited guests and officially opened the doors to the brand new facility…
Douglas Education Center Opens New CDL Training Site
Douglas Education Center’s CDL program has expanded to Fayette County. Thanks to DEC’s partnership with the Private Industry Council (PIC) of Westmoreland County and their Dads Matter Program a new…
Dads Matter to DEC
Douglas Education Center is partnering with the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland County and the Dads Matter Program to provide fathers from three nearby counties the opportunity to train for…
Douglas Education Center Launches New Massage Therapy Program
Douglas Education Center is launching their newest career program aimed at the booming field of massage therapy. The program will prepare them to be certified Massage Therapists to work in…
30 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES AS OWNER, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF DOUGLAS EDUCATION CENTER
Jeffrey D. Imbrescia purchased Douglas School of Business on January 9th ,1989. At that time the school was primarily a business and secretarial school. It was contained in one building…
DEC Donates to Local Charities
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2019 ‘Tis the season for giving! As the holidays approached, representatives from two prominent local charities visited Douglas Education Center (DEC) and were presented…
Flicker Web Series Launched
Douglas Education Center students of both George A. Romero’s Filmmaking Program and Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program are working together with industry pros on a new web series launched…
Understanding Title IX and Reporting Incidents at Douglas Education Center
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments schools are prohibited from gender discrimination in any federally funded education program or activity. Additionally, Title IX is also used to protect students…
DOUGLAS EDUCATION CENTER RECOGNIZED AS A SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) has recognized Douglas Education Center (DEC) as a School of Excellence. The ACCSC School of Excellence Award is intended to recognize…
Savini Duo Leads SFX Department on SyFy’s Z Nation
Many students who pass through Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects program do so with the hope that one day they could be working on the set of a major motion…
Protecting your privacy when applying for financial aid
Protecting your privacy online is a hot topic these days. It is more important than ever before to safeguard your personal information while using social websites to prevent your information…
Do what you love
As the saying goes, “If you choose a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Douglas Education Center Cosmetology Academy graduate Gina Mosco can definitely attest…
All in the family
Family definitely influences decisions for us all. No one knows you like your family does and luckily they’re sometimes willing to give you the push in the right direction you’ve…
Student loan consolidation: What is it and do you need it?
Student loan repayment can be a tricky thing. Loan consolidation can help you out but how do you know if you need it? One thing to consider is if your…
Never just a number at Douglas
For a school as unique as Douglas Education Center it can be hard to describe to prospective students and parents. The best descriptions can come from our graduates; students who’ve…
How do avoid student debt relief scams
Repaying your student loans is stressful enough without having to worry about avoiding scams that may end up costing you more money. Here are some helpful tips to steer you…
LEGENDARY FILM DIRECTOR GEORGE A. ROMERO PASSES AWAY AT AGE 77
MONESSEN, PA, July 17, 2017 – The legendary director of “Night of the Living Dead” and program signator of “George A. Romero’s Filmmaking Program” at Douglas Education Center (DEC) in…
Meet Aeyron Moore – Douglas Education Graduate
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Aeyron Moore Douglas Education Center Graduate of Filmmaking Program When director and cinematographer Aeyron Moore visited DEC in 2008, he knew immediately that this…
SAVINI SCHOOL GRAD WINS SYFY’S FACEOFF ALL-STARS
Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects program at Douglas Education Center (DEC) can officially put another feather in its cap this week after Cig Neutron, a 2009 graduate, took home top…
How do you know if you qualify for financial aid?
There is only one way to find out if you qualify for financial aid. You have to apply. The application for financial aid is called the FAFSA. F-A-F-S-A stands for…
Celebrating Len DiNaples
Join us this Friday, December 2nd from 1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m as we celebrate Len’s life. Stop by any time between 1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m to share stories and remember a life lived…
Meet Joy Greenlee – Douglas Education Graduate
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Joy Greenlee Douglas Education Center 2016 Graduate of the Medical Assistant Program Joy Greenlee is a person with great compassion, who has a sense…
Meet Laura Mushenheim – Douglas Education Graduate
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Laura Mushenheim Douglas Education Center 2005 Graduate of Tom Savini Special Make-Up Effects Program 2009 Graduate of Esthetics Program 2010 Graduate of General Cosmetology The saying…
Meet Tarelle Irwin – Douglas Education Graduate
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Tarelle Irwin Douglas Education Center – Commercial Driver’s License Program Graduate ’’I just am really thankful for the opportunity that I was given to come to…
LEGENDARY FILM DIRECTOR GEORGE A. ROMERO TEAMS WITH DEC TO RE-LAUNCH ITS FILMMAKING PROGRAM
The famed director of “Night of the Living Dead” is joining Douglas Education Center (DEC) to re-launch its filmmaking program at the Monessen career school. George A. Romero, the western…
Meet Gracie Abel – Douglas Education Graduate
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Gracie Abel Douglas Education Center – Graphic Design Program Graduate – January 2013 Some would suggest that one of the first major decisions a person makes…
Douglas Education Center’s Cosmetology Program Graduate: Rhonda Bergman
Rhonda Bergman Cosmetology Program Graduate Rhonda Bergman is a 2011 graduate of Douglas Education Center’s Cosmetology Program Douglas Education Center Programs give students the tools needed to succeed and prepare them…
Douglas Education Center’s Medical Program Graduate: Wendee Dudeck
Wendee Dudeck Medical Program Graduate When Wendee Dudeck’s friend was graduating from Douglas Education Center, she went as a show of support for her friend and her accomplishment. Little did Wendee…
Douglas Education Center’s Cosmetology Program Graduate: Tina King
Tina King Cosmetology Program Graduate Tina King is a 2011 graduate of Douglas Education Center’s Cosmetology Program and owner of Head Over Heels Salon and Spa located in Smithton, PA. …
Great Partnerships with Great People
NPV Productions, LLC is an award winning high definition video production company located in Monroeville, PA. Owner Nick Padezan started NPV Productions 25 years ago. Before starting his production business, Nick…
Douglas Education Center and the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland-Fayette, Inc Partner to Work with Local Youth
Douglas Education Center (DEC), in conjunction with the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland-Fayette, Inc., hosted a Vocational Training and Drug Prevention Program through a grant from the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment…
Stephen Dixon The Factory Digital Filmmaking Program Graduate
Stephen Dixon The Factory Digital Filmmaking Program Graduate Stephen Dixon grew up in an area close to Douglas Education Center. His friends in high school all talked about the Savini Program,…
Nora Hewitt Scholarship Winner: Ryan Woods
Ryan Woods: Student Matters Spotlight Meet Ryan Woods, the first recipient of the Nora Hewitt Scholarship – Dedication to Excellence and Creativity and future Douglas Education Center student. Ryan was…
Savini grad Benzy finding success in many areas of special effects!
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, the special effects artist known solely as “Benzy” has established himself as one of the region’s top industry professionals. Since graduating from Tom Savini’s Special…
How do I cover my housing with financial aid?
Whether you are a student, parent or adult student looking to go to school you’ll need to prepare yourself. Sometimes the best way to prepare yourself is with a checklist…
Mel Licata Face Off Contestant Season 10
Melanie Licata Tom Savini Special Make-Up Effects Program Graduate – January 2015 If you’ve been following SyFy Channel’s Face Off then you know Melanie (Mel) Licata. She’s one of our favorites…
When should you renew your FAFSA?
Did you know that your financial aid eligibility might expire before the end of your program? Your financial aid only lasts for an award year until you have to renew…
DEC Special Make-Up Effects Graduate Quickly Builds a Huge List of Credits
DEC graduate Steven Brent Adkins who now resides in Sherman Oaks, California graduated from Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects Program at Douglas Education Center (DEC) in Monessen, PA in 2009….
Meet Jonathan Patrick Hughes – Recent Douglas Education Graduate
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Jonathan Patrick Hughes Douglas Education Center – Digital Film Factory Program Graduate – January 2015 Jonathan Patrick Hughes is a director and writer, known for…
What are scholarships and how do you get them?
Scholarships are gift-money that can be used towards your direct educational costs as well as your additional costs that can include living expenses, additional supplies, and housing. Scholarships do not…
Financial Aid FAQ’s
Applying for financial aid can be a daunting and intimidating process, especially if you’ve never done it before. Here are some FAQ’s that might help you get started. Q: How…
Financial Aid 101: What is financial aid and how do I apply for it?
Financial Aid is money to help you pay for college. It can be in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, parent loans, employer reimbursements, veteran’s benefits or vocational rehabilitation…
Meet Brittany Fontaine – Mold and Silicon Technician on Deadpool
Douglas Education Center Student Matters Brittany Fontaine Tom Savini Special Make-Up Effects Program Graduate – September 2011 Dorian’s Fantasy Art Program Graduate – May 2012 Have you seen Suicide Squad? How…
Savini and Factory Graduate Finding Success in Many Ways!
2015 was quite a year for Douglas Education Center graduate Jason Baker. He had his creative hand in so many projects that the list seems never ending. From editing movies,…
DEC Factory Graduates find Success in Acting
As children, we have many hopes and dreams of what we want to do when we get older – being a doctor, a police officer, a chef. Those hopes and…
President & CEO Jeff Imbrescia Looks Back at 27 Years of Ownership
Douglas Education Center (DEC) has offered education in the Mon Valley for over one hundred years. Starting out as a business and secretarial school and transforming into the internationally known…
Factory Digital Filmmaking Graduate Rick Nelson enjoying Career Success
In a suburb of Pittsburgh, making movies with the neighborhood kids is where you would find Douglas Education Center Factory Digital Filmmaking Program graduate Rick Nelson when he was young….
Tom Savini’s Special Make-up Effects Program Graduate Nora Hewitt breaks the “Savini Curse” and Wins Season 9 of Face Off!
On Tuesday, October 27, 2015 students, faculty, staff, and members of the community gathered at Douglas Education Center to wind down season 9 of SyFy channel television show Face Off….
Make-Up Effects Student Allyson Mae Works on Indie Pilot
Recently 2nd semester Tom Savini Special Make-up Effects student Allyson Mae had the opportunity to work on the set of a See No Evil Pictures production of their Indie…
State Secretary of Labor and Industry Kathy Manderino Visits DEC
On Tuesday, July 22, State Secretary of Labor and Industry Kathy Manderino visited Douglas Education Center. Her visit focused on what DEC offers to our students while in school, as…
Alumni Success: Will Hartman
The transition from school to real world can be one that causes much anxiety. When students graduate they are faced with so many ideas of what the world is going…
David Wayne Plunkett – DEC Alumni
On April 3, 2015, at his home in Rock Hill, SC, David Wayne Plunkett was gravely injured when a propane gas container exploded. Chelsea, his wife and the mother of their…
Poker Night in America Visits DEC
Thank you to Poker Night in America for bringing out Poker Pros – Greg Mueller and Gavin Smith today to get Zombied! DEC students Thomas Cassidy and Reed Cesare produced…
Factory Graduate Plays Supporting Role on STARZ Series “The Chair”
The Pittsburgh region has had its fair share of big Hollywood productions in recent years. Films such as The Dark Knight Rises, Jack Reacher, and Out of the Furnace have…
New Student Lounge is Great Place for Students to Relax, Study
There is a new spot on the Douglas Education Center campus for students to relax, study, and grab a bite to eat. The Student Lounge is located in the Young…
Illustration Student Aaron Raybuck Shows Work at Two Pittsburgh Art Festivals
“Art is my main passion. I love the way emotions can be brought out from different techniques or subjects in artwork,” says Aaron Raybuck, a third semester student enrolled in…
DEC Announces Hybrid Online Medical Assistant Program To Start Fall 2014
MONESSEN, PA, JULY 17, 2014 – An exciting hybrid online Medical Assistant Program will start on October 2, 2014 at Douglas Education Center (DEC). The program seeks to service prospective…
DEC’s Very Own Hip Hop Star
The spotlight is shining down on DEC student Blane Zentek who has been nominated for the Pittsburgh Underground Music Awards in the category of best live performance! “It’s pretty cool…
DEC Announces NEW Commercial Driver’s License Program
In response to recent projections of a national truck driver shortage, Douglas Education Center (DEC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Commercial Driver’s License Program (CDL) that…
NGE Student wins 2nd Place in Photo Contest
Hues of pinks, oranges, and purples danced across the sky as dusk settled over the Monessen landscape and John “Bubba” Palmer decided to snap a photo of the horizon. Seeing…
Natural Gas Student is Recipient of GRC Scholarship
Congratulations to Natural Gas student Zachary Bowers! He is the recipient of the 2014 Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce (GRC) Scholarship! Zach is from Smithfield, PA. “When they told me I was…
DEC Graduate Finishes in Second Place on SyFy’s ‘Face Off’
From DEC graduate to reality star, Tyler Green unleashed his passion and creativity in special make-up effects, finishing second in the SyFy channel’s breakout reality competition series, Face Off. Face Off showcases some of…
Alumni Success: Katie Gauden
Katie’s family and friends encouraged her to dream – and to learn. She spent a long time practicing on her family and friends’ hair before she decided that she needed…
Marriage Proposal Adds Excitement to DEC Graduation
After months of hands-on learning, lectures and exams, a graduation ceremony is a memorable event. Yet, for cosmetology student Hailee Dicesere, from Ligonier, Pennsylvania, it was particularly unforgettable – as…
Alumni Success: Johnny Bones
Walt Disney. Jim Henson. Tim Burton. Guillermo Del Toro. Peter Jackson. These are some of the world’s greatest directors, and all are inspiration for DEC alumnus Johnny Bones. “I have…
DEC Unveils BRAND NEW Mobile App!
110 years is no small feat and DEC’s keeping the celebration going! Douglas Education Center unveils its BRAND NEW Mobile App! The DEC Mobile App puts DEC in the palm of…
DEC’s 110th Anniversary Celebration: Launches New Responsive Website
DOUGLAS EDUCATION CENTER’S 110TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: LAUNCHES NEW RESPONSIVE WEBSITE MONESSEN, PA, JANUARY 10, 2014 – It’s not every day that you reach super-centenarian status. But that’s precisely the milestone…
Alumni Success: Breanna Swan
Compassion. Patience. Focus. A career in the medical field is a career in caring. DEC alumnus Breanna Swan says, “Learning how to be compassionate and sensitive toward patients and families…
Alumni Success: Haley Stringhill
“Love your clients,” is DEC alumnus Haley Stringhill’s mantra. Whether behind the chair making someone’s day, or in front of a team educating them in color techniques and application, Haley…
Alumni Success: Carl Soderholm
Edgy graphics, striking models, clever placement. Advertisers have relied on these common ingredients for years. But what makes a “good design” one that consumers will connect with and remember? DEC…
Alumni Success: Mike Hluhan
Harnessing the power of today’s airbrushing tools, DEC alumnus Mike Hluhan is spreading his love of illustration in custom design work with cars, bikes, boats and more! “I’m a creative…
Alumni Success: John Williams
“Before DEC, I had some good years working construction… and some bad years. I wanted to make a positive change in my life,” said recent DEC graduate John Williams. Williams…
The Cosmetology Academy Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
Happy 10-Year Anniversary! The Cosmetology Academy at Douglas Education Center (DEC) hosted a special celebratory day to mark its 10-year anniversary. DEC hosted a range of activities and events to…
DMEDS: Medical Students Fundraise to Benefit Community
The medical students involved with DMEDS are truly men and women of action doing important work in our local communities. A medical student-run initiative at DEC, DMEDS provides students with…
Community on Campus: State Senator Tim Solobay
DEC welcomed State Senator Tim Solobay to campus. The senator met and interviewed with students from Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program, including Alexandra Ley, Matthew Stahura, and Ricky Brennan….
The Factory: Celebrating 5 Years of Excellence
Hooray! The Factory Digital Filmmaking Program at Douglas Education Center (DEC) celebrated its five-year anniversary with an Open House and Celebration. The Open House included demonstrations in editing and sound…
DEC’S 110 Year Anniversary. Celebrate With Us.
It’s not every day that you reach super-centenarian status. But that’s precisely the milestone that Douglas Education Center (DEC) will reach in 2014. We think that’s reason to celebrate! Throughout…
Cleavenger Hand-Picked by “Star Wars” Legend, George Lucas
George Lucas invited more than 100 of the best working artists, illustrators, designers, and cartoonists from around the world to celebrate their favorite characters, themes, worlds and moments from the…
Factory Production Class Creates Video Trailer for “Flesh and Blood”
Factory director Robert Tinnell traveled to LA for a series of meetings with the producers of his film projects, The Living and the Dead, Hot Hot Hot, and Sacrifice, as…
Q & A With A Vampire
I rarely get star struck. I’m fanboyed out. Thanks to DVD extras, numerous conventions, and working on set my excitement over meeting celebrities has faded. For the most part,…
Guest Blogger: Alumnus Jarrod Blanchard – “The Cemetery” Production Diary
DAY 1 The first meeting was terrifying for me. Being in a large group, despite knowing everyone in the room, made me quite uneasy. At first I felt unsure of…
How It All Began…
Sometimes it’s nice to reminisce. The story of how Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program began is one often talked about amongst the staff here at DEC. Now in it’s…
Savini Link Continues on SyFy Channel’s “Face Off”
From TLC’s Cake Boss (Ralph Attanasia) to the Food Network’s Sugar Dome (Melissa Coulter), there’s no denying that DEC graduates take command of the screen – enthusiastically. If the names Michael Westmore and Greg Nicotero mean…
Alumni Success: Carl Lyon
For DEC Alumnus Carl Lyon, it began when he had reached the point of age crisis. He was roughly 20 years old, staring at the ugly head of a soul-sucking…
