Baltimore Excel Center Celebrates 100th Graduate

Clubb, who left school at 17, enrolled in the program in February 2024 after achieving sobriety. Balancing parenting and recovery, she reclaimed custody of her children while completing the requirements for her high school diploma. Following the ceremony at the University of Maryland Baltimore’s SMC Campus Center, she will begin training as a Peer Recovery Specialist, transitioning from student to mentor for those facing similar struggles.

Since its inception, the Excel Center has targeted the educational gap in Baltimore, where more than 80,000 residents lack a high school diploma. The program distinguishes itself by offering wraparound services, including on-site childcare and career coaching, designed to help students ranging from their 20s to their 80s manage the practical barriers of adult education. Lisa Rusyniak, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, noted that the milestone of 100 graduates highlights the individual resilience required to balance work and family life while returning to the classroom.