The Academy at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas

Big moments are happening at Goodwill Academy 🎓❤️

Our Welding, NCCER Core Construction, Pharmacy Technician, and CCMA students have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we are so proud to celebrate them. What started as a goal has turned into real skills, certifications, confidence, and new opportunities for the future.

These students showed up, stayed committed, pushed through challenges, and kept going even when things got tough. Now it’s time to recognize all of that hard work 👏

Join us for our Healthcare, Welding & Construction Graduation Ceremony on Friday, May 29 at 2:00 PM as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and the bright futures ahead of them ✨

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about Goodwill Academy and the programs we offer, this is also a great opportunity to come see what we’re all about.

We can’t wait to celebrate with our students, families, supporters, and community 💙❤️

What an incredible day welcoming fellow Excel Center teams from across the country to Arkansas! 💙

We loved getting the opportunity to hear how Excel Centers across the nation are changing lives in their communities while also showcasing the amazing work happening here in Arkansas through our students, staff, and programs.

From inspiring student stories to behind-the-scenes looks at how we serve students in Arkansas, today was a powerful reminder of the impact The Excel Center network is making together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the tour — we’re so excited to continue the conversations and see you all tomorrow morning at the conference! 🎓✨

🌟Teacher Week Spotlight 🌟

This week we celebrate our amazing NCCER Core Construction instructor, Mr. Ted!🦺🔨✨

Mr. Ted is dedicated to preparing students for success in the construction industry by teaching essential hands-on skills, safety practices, and real-world knowledge. Their guidance and encouragement help students build confidence and prepare for successful careers in the skilled trades.

"Mr. Wright is so dedicated to the skill and it's truly inspiring. I really appreciated his positive encouragement when I needed it most. It gave me the confidence to keep going, thanks again! " - Marla R.

Thank you Mr. Ted for inspiring and shaping the future of the construction industry! 👏🏗️

🌟Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight🌟

This week, we celebrate our wonderful Certified Clinical Medical Assistant instructor, Ms. Myia. 🩺✨

Ms. Myia is dedicated to preparing students for success in the healthcare field by providing hands-on training, medical knowledge, and encouragement every step of the way. Her passion and support help students grow into confident future medical professionals.

"I am truly appreciative of Ms.Myia for seeing potential in me. She consistently pushes me to take on tasks I wouldn't normally see myself tackling, helping me grow both personally and professionally. She is motivating, caring, and supportive, and i will always value the friendship that developed alongside the skills I gained under her guidance. " - Trenate

Thank you, Ms. Myia, for inspiring and guiding the next generation of healthcare professionals!💙👏

🌟Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight🌟

This week, we celebrate our outstanding Welding instructor, Corey Hampton! 🔧✨

Corey is dedicated to preparing students for success in the skilled trades, providing hands-on training and real-world techniques essential to the welding industry. His commitment, guidance, and support help students build both confidence and career-ready skills.

"I'm thankful for Mr. Corey because he sets a good example for us he's a good role model and he's patient and uplifting he doesn't allow you to get discouraged and if you do he uplifts you. " -Cordarien W.

Thank you, Corey, for inspiring and shaping the future of our skilled workforce!👏🔥

🌟Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 🌟

Today, we would like to highlight our amazing Pharmacy Technician instructor, Ms. Shanta! ✨

Ms. Shanta is dedicated to preparing students for success in the healthcare field, providing hands-on training and constant support in and out of the classroom. Her passion and commitment truly make a difference in her students' journeys.

"Ms. Shanta has been a phenomenal teacher. When things got hard and it seemed unbearable, she was always there to help us through it. We really appreciated her from start to finish. Thank you for being you." - DeAnna W.

Thank you, Ms. Shanta, for inspiring and guiding the next generation of pharmacy professionals! 💙👏

We recently hosted an Academy Orientation on April 3rd for our Big Four programs: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Welding and Construction- and it was great success! We truly enjoyed connecting with everyone who attended and sharing more about the opportunities our programs offer.

We're excited to announce our next Academy Orientation will take place on May 1st, with two sessions available: one at 9:30 AM and another at 2:00 PM.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending this upcoming orientation and learning more about our programs, please reach out to us - we'd love to have you join us!

We had a wonderful time attending the recruiting event at Plaza Frida, graciously hosted by Coloreando Nuestras Vidas. It was a great opportunity to connect with the community, share information about our programs, and engage with so many inspiring individuals.

We truly appreciate the invitation and the warm welcome. Events like these remind us how meaningful it is to build relationships and support one another. Thank you again for having us. We look forward to many more opportunities to collaborate in the future!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Academy will be open tomorrow. Classes will resume as normal. We can’t wait to see you!

One of our Hot Springs TEO graduates, Izaac Ingle, reached an incredible milestone this past Friday by graduating from our Academy Welding Program!💙 This moment was made possible because of people who shop and donate at Goodwill.

Every donation and every purchase helps change lives. Through Goodwill’s Transitional Employment Opportunity (TEO) Program), individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration receive 16 weeks of paid training, job-readiness support, and life .

Also being funded by donations and purchases, The Academy at Goodwill offers career training in CCMA, Pharmacy Technician, Welding, and Construction, helping students earn credentials that lead to high-demand, higher-paying careers.

Congratulations, Izaac 🎉 We are so proud of you for taking hold of every opportunity and putting in the hard work to change your life. To everyone who shops and donates at Goodwill—this is your impact. You are helping create second chances and brighter futures across Arkansas.