Adelphi, Md. (June 3, 2025)—University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has entered an agreement with Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake’s adult high school, Excel Center, to provide online classes for students seeking to jumpstart college-level courses while finishing their high school degrees.
The dual enrollment partnership allows Excel Center students to take UMGC college-level courses while enrolled in Excel’s high school courses. That helps them accelerate their work toward a college degree.
Similar to arrangements UMGC already has with community colleges in Maryland and elsewhere in the country, the students will have access to UMGC resources, including success coaches who keep track of the students’ progress while offering guidance.
“We are excited for this opportunity for Excel Center students to take courses through the University of Maryland Global Campus,” said Excel Center Director Sherry DeFrancisci. “This opportunity provides our adult learners with the flexibility of online classes, making education more accessible and tailored to their needs. Students can earn dual credits, fulfilling high school requirements while simultaneously earning college credits—an excellent step toward achieving a four-year degree.”
Providing this kind of education to adult learners is what UMGC is all about, said Chris Motz, UMGC’s vice president for academic outreach and corporate alliance in Government and Strategic Partnerships.
The Excel Center is a tuition-free public high school for adults 21 years of age and older. It offers flexible class schedules, an accelerated competency-based high school curriculum with embedded job training and coaching designed to help students manage work, life and family, as well as onsite childcare and transportation assistance.
“We provide second chances for students who now understand the value of a college degree in pushing themselves to succeed,” Motz said. “Goodwill Industries already does so much to provide this support, and uniting with UMGC will move its work ahead dramatically. If our alliance can help these students work their way out of poverty, we will have done a great service.”
Excel Center seeks to support the whole student, acknowledging that life commitments and circumstances often stop people from continuing their high school education. Because students come to the program with varying skills after being out of the classroom, the center designs eight-week courses year-round to meet students where they are, regardless of their level of education.
Under the new partnership, UMGC will waive its application fee for Excel Center students.
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