Excel Center Kansas City Reports First Term Achievements, Launch of Second Term and Funding from Jackson County

Goodwill’s Excel Center has wrapped its first term and is launching its second term on Monday, January 12th. The first of its kind in the region, the Excel Center opened its doors in October and gives adults in Missouri the opportunity to earn a high school diploma. Nearly 75 students completed credits last term. Watch the video below to hear from students and staff.

Excel Center students have access to trained life coaches who provide support with challenges such as transportation, food and housing insecurity, and help develop personalized academic and graduation plans. During the first term, the Excel Center team stood up a food pantry, hosted a Lunch and Learn event, and gave students a mock interview experience.

The vision for the Excel Center is to open doors for continued education, good paying jobs and industry certifications through local business partners and post-secondary institutions. All students are encouraged to earn industry recognized certifications and/or dual college credits along with their diploma.

“The first term of the Excel Center was a tremendous experience for our students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Romeo Michael, Excel Center Director. “We know how transformative a high school diploma is for individuals and families. The median weekly earnings of a person without a high school diploma ($738) are only 79% of a person’s earnings with a high school diploma ($930), and only 67% of what a person with an associate degree earns ($1,099). The Excel Center has already changed lives, but there is more work to do. We look forward to welcoming more students into our second term.”

The Excel Center model has operated across the country for ten years. Data shows that this model provides immediate and long-term economic mobility for participants such as:

• $9,800 average annual increase in initial earned income.
• 22% more likely to be employed than their peers.
• 20% more likely to be enrolled in college or certificate programs.
• 35% increase in earned income compared to peers after four years.
• Excel Center Graduates are 49% less likely to be charged in a criminal court case in the year following their application relative to their peers.

Additionally, the Excel Center was recently awarded $200,000 in ARPA funds from Jackson County. “The Excel Center is truly a community asset,” said DaRon McGee, Chairman of the Jackson County Legislature. “The success of its first term shows that the Excel Center is changing lives and I’m proud that Jackson County is a partner in its mission.”