Richard Denney, LMT, President of Blue Cliff Career College

The only massage college in the Mobile area, Blue Cliff Career College stands strong as a leader in the industry for more than 20 years.

Richard Denney, LMT, has been practicing and teaching massage for 27 years and has worked on Olympic athletes, professional volleyball players and done massage in a variety of corporate settings. Denney graduated from Blue Cliff College in 1994. “Shortly after graduating, I took over the management of the school I graduated from and expanded it until we had five locations across the South, says Denney. “Eventually, I purchased a small school in Mobile and became independent.”

When asked who the ideal student for Blue Cliff Career College is, Denney says, “We get many people who simply want to change careers. We’ve had doctors, lawyers, policemen, teachers, construction workers, single moms, bartenders, people from all walks of life. They love massage because it pays well and offers a healthy lifestyle.”

Prior to going to massage school, Denney was unhappily managing medical clinics in the New Orleans area. He had a snow skiing accident which was followed by six months of physical therapy, massage and medicine. “I had a snow skiing accident and had to have 6 months of physical therapy, massage and medicine. I realized that the person working on me was making three or four times what I was making and she actually enjoyed her job,” says Denney.

In 2002, Denney married a Blue Cliff graduate, Fonda, and with her leadership, the school expanded into skin care and cosmetology teaching a wide variety of modalities including Microderm abrasion, chemical peels, waxing, make-up and more. The beauty college also provides services to the public at 70 percent off normal retail prices as students provide hairstyles, colors and cuts.

Blue Cliff College offers financial aid for those who qualify, including Pell Grants, VA and other loans and most programs can be completed in 9 to 14 months.

Blue Cliff Career College is located at 2970 Cottage Hill Rd #175, Mobile, AL. For more information, call 251-473-2220 or visit Blue.edu.