Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake Celebrates Second Graduating Class from Excel Center, Baltimore's Tuition-Free Adult High School

Dozens of Graduates Will Cross the Stage on September 19 to Receive High School Diplomas, Marking a Milestone of Resilience, Opportunity, and Second Chances

BALTIMORE, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 19, a moment years in the making will take place in Baltimore. Adults will don caps and gowns, walk across the stage, and claim a milestone that once felt out of reach — earning their high school diploma. The celebration begins Friday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the University of Maryland Baltimore's SMC Campus Center, where the Baltimore Excel Center, a tuition-free adult high school operated by Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, will graduate its second-ever class.

Created to address a critical gap in Baltimore's education system — where more than 80,000 residents lack a high school diploma — the Excel Center provides adult learners with the tools, support, and opportunities to rewrite their futures. Students at the Excel Center range in age from their 20s to their 80s, and include parents, workers, and community members who returned to the classroom to finish what they started.

"These graduates have faced obstacles most of us can't imagine, and yet here they are, proving that it's never too late for a second chance," said Lisa Rusyniak, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake. "Their determination, courage, and commitment to learning inspire us all and show what's possible when adult learners are given the opportunity and support they deserve."

More than an academic program, the Excel Center offers wraparound support such as free on-site childcare, career coaching, and the chance to earn workforce certifications in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, and the trades. These resources make it possible for students to balance education with jobs, families, and life's challenges. In Maryland, earning a high school diploma can mean an average of $8,622 more in annual income — a difference that can open doors to steady employment, stable housing, and new opportunities.

Joining the Excel Center graduates will be participants from Goodwill's Workforce Development Skills Training Programs — including Certified Nursing Assistant/Geriatric Nursing Assistant (CNA/GNA), Pharmacy Technician, and Building Trades — who have completed specialized training to launch careers in high-demand fields. Together, these achievements showcase Goodwill's dual mission of equipping people with both the education and job skills to build brighter futures.

EVENT DETAILS

• Who: Baltimore Excel Center Graduates + Goodwill Workforce Development Skills Training Program Graduates (CNA/GNA, Pharmacy Tech, Building Trades)
• When: Friday, September 19, 2025 — 11:00 AM ET
• Where: University of Maryland Baltimore: SMC Center Elm Rooms (208/210), 621 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Many of this year's graduates balanced full-time jobs, parenting, and even housing instability while completing their studies. Their determination reflects the Excel Center's mission: to break down barriers to education and empower adults to succeed in college, careers, and life.

About Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. prepares people to secure and retain employment and build successful independent lives. Goodwill annually provides services to more than 58,000 people in need of assistance because of physical, mental, or other social barriers and places approximately 2,500 into jobs — giving them "Not a charity, but a chance." For more information, visit: https://goodwillches.org

About Goodwill Excel Centers
The Goodwill Excel Centers are unique, tuition-free adult high schools that award industry-recognized certifications and high school diplomas — not GEDs — to adult learners. For more information about the Baltimore Excel Center, visit: https://excelcentermd.org.

Media Contact:
Jen Reed
On The Marc Media
508-944-4884
[email protected]

SOURCE Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.