The Goodwill Excel Center Midsouth Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting at Austin Peay Campus
The Goodwill Excel Center of the Midsouth, Inc. officially celebrated the opening of its new Austin Peay campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, elected officials, education partners, supporters, and guests. The event marked another important milestone in expanding opportunities for adults seeking to earn their high school diploma while preparing for college and career success, all at no cost.
The Austin Peay campus represents the school’s continued commitment to providing a tuition-free, supportive educational environment where adult learners can complete their education while balancing work, family, and life’s responsibilities.
The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was officially opened by Ron Schuyler, Senior VP, Chief of Mission & Education Officer for The Excel Center Memphis. It featured remarks from various city leaders who shared the vision behind the new campus. The event highlighted the importance of increasing access to adult education throughout Memphis. Representatives from community organizations, local government, education, workforce development, and business partners joined in celebrating this significant achievement.
Guests had the opportunity to tour the new facility, meet members of The Excel Center’s team, and learn more about the resources available to future students.
This new Raleigh campus will begin welcoming students on August 10, along with the Thousand Oaks campus, providing adults with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free high school diploma while receiving personalized support through life coaching, flexible scheduling, transportation assistance, childcare support (where available), college readiness, and workforce training opportunities designed to help students achieve long-term success.
Special thanks to all who joined us for this memorable occasion, including elected officials, community partners, donors, board members, volunteers, and supporters whose dedication and support made this milestone possible.
We also thank the media outlets that covered the event and helped share the Excel Center's mission with the Mid-South community.
For additional details and official statements regarding the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please read the official press release here.
Media Coverage
The event was covered by several local media outlets, including Fox 13, Action News 5, News Channel 3, CW30, as well as other community news organizations, helping raise awareness of The Goodwill Excel Center Midsouth, Inc. and the newest Austin Peay campus.
About The Excel Center
The Goodwill Excel Center Midsouth, Inc. is Goodwill’s tuition-free adult high school, providing adults with the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma—not a GED—while preparing for college, career advancement, and long-term success. With the opening of the Austin Peay campus, the adult high school continues to expand its impact and footprint across Shelby County with the same proven model as the current flagship Thousand Oaks campus to include flexible scheduling, accelerated eight-week terms, industry-recognized certifications, dual enrollment opportunities, career coaching, and wraparound support services that help students succeed in and out of the classroom. Earlier this year, The Excel Center Memphis launched the Shelby County Corrections Excel Center in partnership with the Shelby County Division of Corrections and Shelby County Government, bringing a full high school diploma program directly to incarcerated individuals who did not complete high school. The program marks the first time a traditional high school diploma pathway—rather than GED or HiSET preparation—has been offered within the Shelby County Division of Corrections.
Ready to Finish What You Started?
Classes at both campuses begin August 10th. If you’re an adult living in Shelby County without a high school diploma, The Excel Center is here to help. While enrolled, you will be assigned a certified life coach to guide you along your journey. You’ll also have the opportunity to prepare for college and earn industry-recognized certifications all FREE. Take the first step and learn more by clicking below!
