Bluffton University

The Cuts reopens

01/08/2025

As the Multicultural Affairs graduate assistant, Edward Hardaway ’23, MAEd ’26, is working to make connections between Bluffton and Findlay students.

Graduate courses support projects now and in Hardaway's future classroom

Edward Hardaway ’23, MAEd ’26 from Englewood, Ohio, has been serving as the graduate assistant in Bluffton’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Through his work, Hardaway was able to reopen The Cuts at Bluffton, an on-campus hair salon/barbershop. 

Located in the Multicultural Student Organization (MSO) building, adjacent to Hirschy Annex, The Cuts offers a range of services, including adult cuts, line-ups, shampoos, chemical treatments and various styling options. Services are provided by professional hairstylists from FreshNFaded in Lima, Ohio.

“The Cuts allows students to make a genuine and authentic connections with their hairstylists,” said Hardaway. “The hairstylists from FreshNFaded have a genuine desire to help our students feel confident and comfortable in with their hair rather than just providing a hairstyling service to them.” 

Hardaway has also worked with University of Findlay’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion to offer The Cuts services to University of Findlay students. Hardaway’s efforts will allow Findlay students to come to Bluffton’s campus to receive these services rather than having to drive far distances. This collaboration will also allow Bluffton and Findlay students to meet each other and connect. 

“There are not many campuses that offer hairstyling services,” said Hardaway. “These type services are needed by both Bluffton and Findlay students, so it is a great way to collaborate together to help meet the needs of both our university’s students.” 

Appointments for The Cuts are available on Sunday afternoons. To schedule an appointment, Bluffton and UF students can complete a form at www.bluffton.edu/studentlife/multicult/cuts-at-bluffton.aspx or email Hardaway at hardawaye@bluffton.edu 

Along with his work with The Cuts, Hardaway also serves as the advisor to MSO and is the hall director for Hirschy Annex. As advisor to MSO, Hardaway works with the organization to plan various campus events and cultural intelligence trainings to Bluffton students, faculty and staff. 

“MSO is focusing more on hosting cultural events to help educate our campus on the various cultures our students represent,” said Hardaway. “As a smaller institution, it is extremely important for Bluffton’s students to feel welcomed, and these events are just one way we can help do that.” 

Hardaway and MSO are currently planning the annual MSO week, which will be held Feb.10-15.  During this week, the organization will host multiple events and educational opportunities to promote cultural awareness. The culmination of MSO week is Bluffton’s annual Lip Sync Battle at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in Yoder Recital Hall.  Bluffton and Findlay students are invited to perform solo or group lip sync performances. 

Hardaway is also furthering his education by earning his Master of Arts in Education from Bluffton. Hardaway says his classes have helped him with his graduate assistant work and is preparing him for his future as a school administrator. 

“The education classes at Bluffton are really focused on helping you become a leader,” said Hardaway. “Being a GA and in classes allows me to apply concepts I learn that will help me in my future career as a school administrator.” 

After graduating from Bluffton, Hardaway plans to become a teacher in the Columbus School District. After being in the classroom for a few years, Hardaway hopes to work his way into becoming a school administrator.