Virginia Capitol Connections, 2025 Annual Magazine 20 In the heart of Northwest Roanoke, a transformative initiative is taking shape—one that promises to impact the lives of countless individuals and uplift an entire community. This initiative is the Excel Center, Virginia's first adult high school, which officially opened its doors on August 25, 2025. The Excel Center is a cornerstone of Melrose Plaza, a first-of-its-kind community resource center that aims to address the social determinants of health in a historically underserved community. The journey of the Excel Center began in Virginia in 2023, when Goodwill Industries of the Valleys successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to create the first adult high school in the Commonwealth. The Excel Center received bipartisan support from numerous legislators, including—but certainly not limited to—Delegate Chris Head, Delegate Sam Rasoul, and Senator John Edwards. This visionary effort was driven by the belief that education A New Option for Adult Education: The Story of the Excel Center at Melrose Plaza By GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF THE VALLEYS is a powerful tool for breaking cycles of generational poverty and empowering individuals to achieve their fullest potential. Richmond Vincent, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, has been a key figure in bringing this vision to life. “The Excel Center encapsulates the true mission and values of Goodwill,” Vincent said. “Students will be empowered, inspire their families and neighbors, and break the cycles of generational poverty.” His leadership and dedication to the community were recognized during the grand opening ceremony of Melrose Plaza on July 31, 2025, where he was honored with the inaugural Sankofa Award for his lasting and transformational impact on community, culture, and generational change. The Excel Center offers a unique and comprehensive approach to adult education. It provides free high school education with accelerated courses and flexible schedules, making it accessible to adult learners who may have other responsibilities, such as work and family. The school also offers free on-site childcare, life coaching, career and college counseling, and transportation support for students. This holistic support system is designed to remove barriers to education and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. While the Excel Center is new to the Commonwealth, it has been a proven model throughout the nation since 2010 and has graduated more than 15,000 students. The workforce development aspect of the Excel Center model has generated incredible interest from potential students, as well as community businesses and educational partners. Through a collaborative approach, the Excel Center partners with local businesses, training providers, colleges, and other supporters to create career pathways that allow students to enter the workforce as new employees or to elevate from a job to a career within their current employment. As students graduate from the Excel Center with a standard Virginia high school diploma, they are also expected Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks at the Excel Center’s first day of classes. State legislators and community leaders attend the Melrose Plaza grand opening.
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