HAMMOND – Goodwill LEADS, Inc. has named Cindy Cavanaugh as Director for their Hammond Excel Center.  Her background includes 9 years with the School City of Hammond, serving as Interim Dean of Students, a Training Accreditation Programme “TAP” Mentor Teacher and English Department Chair.  Cavanaugh will provide leadership to direct and manage the educational goals and vision for the Hammond Excel Center.  “There are more than 51,000 adults in Lake County who are without a high school diploma.  As a lifelong Region resident, I have seen the need for this type of school first hand, and am looking forward to welcoming adult students into a place where they can – and will – be successful.  Our staff is dedicated to helping them overcome any barriers that have held them back in the past,” states Cavanaugh.

The Excel Center is a free, public high school serving students 18 and older with year round accelerated classes.  Graduating students receive an Indiana Core 40 Diploma and college credits or industry certification.  The Excel Center will open in September at: 3438 169^th Street in Hammond at the Briar East Shopping Center, a site that is easily accessible by bus route.  Enrollment for fall classes is currently underway and free childcare is provided on-site while students are in class.  Find out more about The Excel Center by calling: (219) 844-1911 or visiting www.ExcelCenterHS.org.

Goodwill LEADS, Inc. is a non-profit entity affiliated with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.  It was formed to develop The Excel Center and advance the educational opportunities in the communities it serves.  The acronym LEADS features key goals for this organization: Learn – Educate – Advance – Develop – Students; and its mission is to provide adult high school students with diplomas, support and career potential.