“If we can better ourselves in here [prison], we can better ourselves out there.”
— Andrew Alexander, Valedictorian, Class of 2024 Billy Moore Campus
“Today is about all the doors that have opened for our future.”
— Tracy Betts, Salutatorian, Class of 2024 Billy Moore Campus
Justice Education Campuses
The Goodwill Excel Center Adult High School is the first free public high school in Texas where adults ages 18 to 50 can earn their high school diploma and complete training for a high-demand career.
With two Community Campuses in Austin and five Justice Education Campuses at correctional centers throughout Texas, The Excel Center transforms lives in a supportive and holistic learning environment where all students are empowered to achieve.
2,051 Graduates
20,700+ Students Served
946 Certifications Earned
12,729 CTE Credits Earned (Career and Technical Education)
Congratulations, Class of 2024!
Our 2024 Excel Center graduates are shining examples of Goodwill’s mission to transform lives through the power of education and work.
Perhaps graduate Adela Lopez, Student Speaker – Class of 2024 Community Schools (Austin) said it best, “Our journey here at The Excel Center has been an incredible tapestry of experience, learning, and growth.” She went on to say, “Whether we’re heading to college, entering the workforce, or exploring other paths, let’s do so with confidence, courage, and a deep commitment to making the world a better place."
Adela Lopez, Class of 2024
Jamil Edwards, 2,000th Excel graduate
Student Spotlight: JERNERIKAE
OLIVER
After spending several years at another Texas correctional center, Jernerikae Oliver learned about The Goodwill Excel Center. She realized she wanted a new beginning and knew her education was vital. She wrote to the Gregory S. Coleman Unit warden and was transferred two months later.
Jernerikae dropped out of high school in the tenth grade. She thought she could make easy money instead of “sitting in a classroom, which felt like a waste of time,” she said. However, becoming justice-involved opened her eyes to her reality, and she began recognizing where an education could take her. Says Jernerikae, “I have goals now, and I plan to achieve every one.” Earning her high school diploma was just one of those goals she achieved with the Excel Coleman Class of 2024, even serving as one of the graduation ceremony student speakers.
After release, Jernerikae plans to pursue a master's degree in business and start her own company. She proved to herself that she is “smart and talented” at Excel and knows the diligence and dedication she learned will serve her in the future. Says Jernerikae, “Education is the one thing nobody can take away from you.”
“Education is the one thing nobody can take away from you.”
— Jernerikae Oliver
Reducing Recidivism and Helping Individuals “Excel”
Multiple studies show that approximately 75% of state prison inmates have not completed high school.* Conversely, incarcerated individuals are 43% less likely to recidivate when participating in an educational program.**
Our five Excel justice education campuses empower inmates to obtain their high school diplomas, pursue professional certifications, and pave the way for a brighter future.
The Goodwill Excel Center partners with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to operate campuses at:
• Billy Moore Correctional Center
• Diboll Correctional Center
• Gregory S. Coleman Unit
• John B. Connally Unit (added in January 2024)
• Mark W. Stiles Unit (added in July 2024)
How these campuses are transforming lives (stats are representative of all time):
• 871 graduates
• Almost 3,000 students served
• 610 certifications earned***
• 5,462 Career and Techncial Education (CTE) credits earned
*Journal of Experimental Criminology, May 2018 and Bureau of Justice Statistics: Education and Correctional Populations
**RAND Corporation 2014 Correctional Education in the United States
***Certification options have not always been available during the campuses' operation
CONGRATS 2O23/2024 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Joel Carpenter, Norwood Campus Maria Mota, South at AYW Campus
Robert Owen, Diboll Campus
Marie Dullard, Billy Moore Campus
The 2023/2024 school year was the first year that The Excel Center participated in the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Texas Teacher of the Year Program. Texas Teacher of the Year is the most highly recognized honor bestowed upon a teacher by the State of Texas. The official State of Texas program recognizes and celebrates educators who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. The award process begins at the campus level, progresses through the District, Regional, and State levels, and culminates at the National level.
This year, student- and peer-voting honored five teachers as Excel Campus Teachers of the Year.
After securing the Excel District Teacher of the Year distinction, DeLisa Harris was honored at the Region 13 Teacher of the Year Luncheon as a Secondary Nominee.
Congratulations to all of our inspiring teachers!
DeLisa Harris, Coleman Campus
Theresa Rappaport (Excel Superintendent), DeLisa Harris, Simon Solis (Excel Coleman Campus Director)
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
For over 30 years, Goodwill Central Texas Commercial Services (GCS) has played a vital role in the local community's growth by driving business expansion and creating jobs. At the heart of this effort is a steadfast commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for individuals facing disabilities or challenges, promoting inclusivity, and fostering positive change across the central Texas region.
"While many people associate Goodwill primarily with donations, our core mission is employment,” said Jason Stewart, Vice President of Commercial Services.
“Our goal at GCS is to provide meaningful work opportunities.”
Goodwill Central Texas Commercial Services is also a leader in sustainability and recycling, recognized for their extensive state and government contracts and a growing private contract division. They offer a range of customized, competitively priced solutions for local businesses, including 3PL/warehouse, custodial, facilities, and more.
“By providing programs that help individuals overcome employment challenges, our operation is unique,” Stewart added.
Stewart emphasized the importance of community awareness, noting, “If more businesses aligned with our mission, it could make a significant impact, particularly for those who might otherwise struggle to find employment.”
Benefiting Goodwill Central Texas programs that eliminate barriers and provide meaningful p at hways t o wo rk .
| | | UFCU H-E-B Frost Bank Higginbotham Way Service, Ltd.
Care | Wes Burke
Cara & Mike Clifford
Gunter/Shields
Nathan Stricklen Thank you to our sponsors to date! Scan the QR code for sponsorship and event details
McCoy’s Building Supply
Rob Neville
Bank of America
Smarter Benefits Solutions
Media Partners
Austin Monthly
Curated Texan
CBS Austin
UFCU Bridge Fund
Supporters
Jennifer & Kris Carter
Anna Denton
Jay Howard
Myra Leo & Billy Atkins
Carolyn Long
Monica Matous
Margaret & Mat Moten
Rob Neville
Theresa Rappaport
Jason Stewart
Dr. Dan Stromberg
Craig Wright
No longer sparking joy?
Your old lamp can bring your neighbors a bright future. When you donate your gently used items to Goodwill, you're not just saving them from a landfill, you're helping fund programs that provide education, career training, and job opportunities to Central Texans in need. Let your light shine on!
Thrifted and new, haunting a store near you. Build your own one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes with thrifted finds and brand-new accessories you can’t scare up anywhere else. That’s Goodwill.
