Melissa M. Anderson, associate professor at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky. Melissa is a licensed esthetics instructor and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Career and Technical Education from Eastern Kentucky University, where she is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Education.
She has been in the esthetic industry for over twenty-seven years, of which seventeen has been spent as a teacher. Melissa believes that innovative education is the key to success in establishing a career in esthetics. She often implements new techniques and learning styles in order to accommodate today's eclectic learner.
Along with her teaching duties, Melissa enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering as an area trainer for the American Cancer Society's "Look Good Feel Better" program that works with cancer patients who encounter the appearance-related effects of cancer and its treatments. As a member of the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations, Melissa is proud to support the organization's goals, standards, and advocacy for the esthetic profession.

About the Gerson Award
In 1970, Joel Gerson began teaching esthetic skin care and facial treatments in New York City. He soon discovered the lack of educational materials available for the training of estheticians. He was unable to find a practical "how to" textbook, or a comprehensive course outline, that was both easy to understand, and thorough in its contents.
So, in 1977 he decided to write the textbook that would provide the curriculum materials, including "step-by-step" illustrations needed by teachers and students. The most important undertaking of his professional career, was writing the "Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians", published by Milady. Creation of this textbook also paved the way for state regulatory boards and regulation of estheticians through licensure, and subsequently, development of the NCEA Certified credential.

In honor of Mr. Gerson's contribution to education of the esthetic professional, NCEA is pleased to award the 2012 Winner sponsored by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP)

Gerson Award Sponsor - Associated Skin Care Professionals

Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest professional membership association for skin care professionals.

About National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations

The mission of the NCEA is to define standards of practice through certification and continuing education accreditation in order to represent and advocate for the esthetic profession. NCEA started the first Esthetician Scholarship program in 2003 for Esthetician students, and created the Gerson Award to honor Esthetic Teachers' whose passion and dedication support the future of the esthetic profession.