Goodwill celebrates 2026 Hammond and Gary Excel Center graduates at joint ceremony

Goodwill’s Excel Center celebrated a new class of graduates on Monday, June 1, during a joint graduation ceremony held at Indiana University Northwest’s School of the Arts. Students turned their tassels and took the next step on their journeys to the applause of friends, family, and supporters. This year’s ceremony featured a keynote address from Indiana State Senator Mark Spencer.

The Goodwill Excel Center is a tuition-free high school for adults seeking their Indiana Core 40 diploma. In addition to removing the financial burden of schooling, the Excel Center caters to the needs of adult learners with services like free childcare and offers flexible scheduling options to help students meet their goals in an encouraging environment.

The program, like many of Goodwill’s services, is made possible through Goodwill’s retail operations and the support of local businesses and organizations.

“A key goal of Goodwill and our mission work is to help individuals live their most abundant life, and we’re able to do that by helping better their education,” Dr. Chris Alber, superintendent of the Excel Center of Michiana, said. “This is one step in the journey to getting a career that they love. We pay for their certifications to give them a head start in their careers and dual credit opportunities to go on to college.”

The night was also an opportunity to celebrate two exceptional students from the Excel Center with the Debie Coble Award. The award is presented to a student from each Excel Center, recognizing their tremendous effort and dedication to their education. This year’s winners were Kimberly Arteaga and Densie Spencer from the Hammond and Gary Excel Centers, respectively.

Arteaga dropped out of high school when she was 17. In pursuit of a better future, she enrolled at the Hammond Excel Center. The Excel Center proved to be a perfect fit for Arteaga, adapting to her needs and offering encouragement to keep her on track to success.

“They worked around my schedule and motivated me, which helped a lot,” Arteaga said. “I wanted a better future and to make my family proud, and now I’ve got a certification, and I’m going to college.”

Arteaga is studying radiology with plans to become a radiologic technologist after graduation. She was surprised to be recognized with the Debie Coble Award because of the hard work she saw her peers put, in as well.

“I didn’t expect it,” she said. “It was a big shock to me, but it feels amazing.”

Spencer shared a similar sentiment when she was awarded the Debie Coble Award.

“It was overwhelming and wonderful,” she said. “It was truly a shock.”

Spencer enrolled in the Excel Center as part of a promise to her late granddaughter, who also dropped out of high school. The two planned to pursue their high school diplomas together.

“I knew I needed it, and I had already promised my granddaughter,” Spencer said. “I said to her, ‘You go and get your high school diploma, and I’ll go get mine.’ When she passed, I still pursued it, not only for her, but for me.”

During her time at the Excel Center, Spencer relied upon the support of coaches at the Excel Center, who encouraged her when things got hard and celebrated her successes with her.

“They encouraged me. They stood by me. They listened to every gripe, every argument, every frustration, and they told me that I could do it,” she said. “They directed me to the right resources and helped me to know what I didn’t before. Even beyond getting a diploma, they’re willing, ready, and open to helping us. There is so much you can get from the Excel Center.”

Both Spencer and Arteaga appreciate their time spent with the Excel Center and encourage other adults looking to take the next step on their educational journey and reach out to their local Excel Center for more information.

“Go to the Excel Center. Whatever you need help with, they have a teacher there for each one of your needs. If you’re willing to put in the work, they will help you with it,” Spencer said.

“There’s always a second chance,” Arteaga said.

Since opening its doors in Michiana in 2015, the Excel Center program has helped over 1,000 graduates achieve their educational goals.

To learn more about the Excel Center or to enroll, visit Diploma4Me.com.