By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
Joy and pride filled the air at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Southern Management Companies Campus Center, as dozens of Baltimore adults walked across the stage in cap and gown on Sept. 19. The moment marked the second-ever graduation ceremony for the Baltimore Excel Center and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake’s Workforce Development Programs, a milestone that celebrated not only diplomas and certifications, but also second chances, determination and new beginnings.
A life-changing milestone
The Baltimore Excel Center, a tuition-free high school for adults, was created to address a staggering need: nearly 80,000 Baltimore residents lack a high school diploma. The program provides wraparound support—including free on-site childcare, career coaching and life coaches—to help adults succeed. Alongside those earning those high school diplomas, participants in Goodwill’s Workforce Development Skills Training Programs were also honored, as they became certified nursing assistants, geriatric nursing assistants (CNA/GNA) or pharmacy technicians. Graduates from the trade programs were also recognized, as they are now ready to step into high-demand industries.
“This graduation is incredibly significant as our second ever,” said Sherry DeFrancisci, director of The Excel Center Adult High School. “We graduated 53 individuals and 100 percent of them earned not only their diploma, but also an industry-recognized certification and a viable career path.”
Overcoming barriers, building confidence
For many, ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s, the journey was not easy. Balancing jobs, parenting, housing instability and personal hurdles often stood in the way. That’s where the Excel Center’s unique model shines.
“Overcoming barriers is the biggest hurdle to returning to school and then remaining in school,” DeFrancisci explained. “Our greatest assets are our teachers and life coaches. They are in constant contact with our students—checking on attendance, making sure they have childcare, food and healthcare referrals and providing moral support.”
She also reflected on the ripple effects graduates will have beyond themselves.
“We regularly hear about the ripple effects of their successes. Extended family and friends are motivated by our graduates’ newfound confidence, job opportunities and ability to self-advocate.” DeFrancisci said. “With the assistance of the Family Support Center, parents feel more secure in their ability to support and care for their children. Studies show that children of high school graduates are more likely to graduate themselves, breaking the cycle of dropping out.”
Shawn Stevenson: “Better now than never”
One graduate, Shawn Stevenson, shared how the Excel Center transformed his life after putting his education on hold more than two decades ago.
“The Excel Center has been more than amazing—it’s been the opportunity of a lifetime,” Stevenson said. “I thank God that He gave me the strength to continue my education journey 22 years later. Better now than never.”
Stevenson admitted there were moments when giving up felt easier. But dedicated teachers and staff kept him moving forward.
“At times I wanted to quit, but the teachers at the Excel Center wouldn’t let me. Mr. Michael, Ms. Leslie, Mr. U, Mr. Smith—they really went above and beyond. If I didn’t understand the work, they’d sit with me one-on-one. That kind of support made all the difference.”
The road wasn’t without sacrifice.
“I worked a full-time job, paid for parking just to get to class, rushed to be on time, finished assignments, and tried to keep a positive attitude,” Stevenson recalled. “Guess what? I did it. I am so proud of myself and my classmates. This is a lifetime memory I will never forget.”
Looking ahead, Stevenson hopes to continue his journey. “I want to pursue business management and one day, barber school. In the next five years, I plan to open my own shop,” he said. “To anyone thinking it’s too late to go back, don’t believe that. The Excel Center is the place to be. They’ll help you get through it.”
A community uplifted
The Sept. 19 ceremony was more than a graduation—it was a celebration of Baltimore’s resilience, of families finding stability and of individuals reclaiming dreams once thought out of reach. According to Goodwill, Marylanders with a high school diploma earn on average $8,622 more annually than those without one, a difference that can mean steady housing, reliable employment and greater opportunities for entire families.
And while the program has proven life-changing for its graduates, demand still outpaces resources.
“We currently serve about 200 students per term, but we still have a waitlist of 400 potential success stories we can’t reach yet,” DeFrancisci noted. “We have the space and the willpower, but not the sustainable funding to add the teachers and coaches needed.”
The graduates of the Class of 2025 stand as proof that with determination, support and opportunity, second chances can blossom into lifelong success.