Opening Doors, Changing Lives: Highlights from the Excel Center National Conference

By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

Melvin tried to earn his GED four times. Each time, life got in the way.

Laura had already paid for her cap and gown when she was told she couldn’t graduate. She had missed too much school while supporting a family member through court hearings.

For both Melvin and Laura, the path to opportunity wasn’t linear—but they found a second chance through The Excel Center, a tuition-free public charter high school for adults operated by local Goodwill organizations in communities across at least 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Their stories are are powerful reminders of what’s possible when education systems are designed to meet people where they are.

This week, educators, leaders, and advocates from across the country gathered in Little Rock, Arkansas for the Excel Center National Conference. The energy in the room reflected a shared mission: expanding access to education and strengthening pathways to employment and economic mobility.

The conference opened with remarks from Jacob Oliva, Arkansas Secretary for the Department of Education. As the state’s top education leader, his support highlighted the growing recognition that adult education is a cornerstone of workforce development and economic growth. When adults earn their high school diplomas, they gain access to better jobs, higher education, and new opportunities to support their families.

The Excel Center works because it removes barriers that too often prevent adults from finishing their education. Students may benefit from tuition-free high school diplomas, flexible scheduling to accommodate work and family demands, life coaches who provide individualized support, transportation assistance, and on-site childcare. These essential supports enable students to persist through challenges and succeed on their own terms.

The success of The Excel Center is not accidental. It is made possible through strong partnerships with policymakers at every level of government.

• Federal leaders can prioritize adult education through funding and workforce legislation.
• State policymakers shape curriculum, licensing, and school operations.
• Local decision-makers influence access to critical supports like transportation and childcare.

There is also a growing opportunity to better align education and workforce systems—strengthening coordination between the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor to ensure adults can seamlessly transition from learning to earning.

The stories of Melvin, Laura, and thousands of Excel Center graduates show what’s possible when we invest in people.

As advocates, we can:

• Share these stories with policymakers and community leaders
• Champion funding for adult education and workforce development
• Support policies that remove barriers and expand access to proven models like The Excel Center

Because when we open the door to education, we open the door to opportunity—for individuals, families, and entire communities.