When Sam Harmeson left high school, they were coping with the death of their mother from a drug overdose and struggling with undiagnosed autism. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, and Sam found it difficult to secure a job, especially without a diploma. In 2023, when Sam and their caretaker and aunt, Bettina Hapney, visited a local Goodwill retail store, Sam learned about an opportunity that would change their life. 

“I’m an avid Goodwill shopper, and I’ve always rounded up at the cash register for programs like The Excel Center,” Bettina explained. “One day after shopping, we decided to walk over to the school to learn more.” 

The Excel Center® is Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, which helps remove barriers to education that may have deterred someone from finishing the first time. In addition to flexible scheduling, The Excel Center offers free, onsite child care, transportation assistance, life coaching and more, to ensure students with jobs, dependents, and responsibilities outside of the home can successfully complete their education.

“We were greeted by a staff member who told me that I could sign up that day and get my diploma for free,” Sam said. “I was amazed at how willing they were to work with me.”

By this point, Sam’s two younger siblings had been diagnosed with autism, which led Sam to seek their own diagnosis. 

“Once I understood that overstimulation was the cause for a lot of my struggles, I was able to find better coping skills,” Sam explained.

The Excel Center created an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for Sam with step-by-step instructions to support them through their learning journey. 

“Sam just needed the right environment,” Bettina said. “It felt like such a blessing because they were able to shine the way they were always meant to. The Excel Center opened up a whole new world that Sam didn’t know they could fit into.”

Sam’s time at The Excel Center increased their confidence, improved their communication skills and helped them feel more comfortable in social settings. 

“No one judged me,” Sam said. “My peers at school understood that we all needed support. We learned from each other, and I experienced the human connection that I had been missing.”

In February 2024, Sam graduated from The Excel Center in Bloomington as valedictorian of their class, also earning dual credits that allowed them to enroll at Ivy Tech Community College as a first generation college student. Beyond graduating, Sam now feels better prepared for life’s challenges. 

“The Excel Center helped me become more independent,” Sam said. “Not only did I learn a lot, but I’m also no longer afraid to go out into the world and do things on my own.”

Sam is currently majoring in business at Ivy Tech and considering a career in graphic design.

“I never thought I would go to college,” Sam said. “Now I have meaningful connections with people and a brighter outlook on the future.”

For Indiana Disability Awareness Month, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is highlighting stories like Sam’s to illustrate how Hoosiers are achieving success with the right accommodations and support. Visit excelcenter.org to learn more about Goodwill’s high school for adults.