X-CEL Adult Education Services, Inc.

Edell Howard is not a typical college student. Aged 37 and a father of five, Edell has had a life time of experience that traditional college kids would hardly be able to fathom.

Growing up in Boston, Edell lived with his parents and three older siblings. “I was spoiled, my mama’s baby. I was used to getting lots of attention.” Edell wanted to belong, to be accepted, but in school, he acted out. “I wanted to be cool so I did crazy stuff; I would never turn down a dare. I didn’t pay much attention to my studies.” Edell’s behavior didn’t gain him the favor of all of his teachers: his high school guidance counselor, advised him to quit school and join the army. By 12th grade, Edell had left school, had two children, and was working full time. But Edell had always liked school, and working full-time reminded him that the grown-up world was not any easier. So he went to the principal and asked for a second chance. It was granted, and Edell graduated and went on to community college.

At the community college, however, Edell found that he could make lots of money —fast— by selling drugs. Soon after, he dropped out. For 15 years, Edell existed under the radar, using and selling drugs. Then he was caught and spent several months in the county jail. “Many young black men are introduced to the prison system while in their teens, and it becomes their second, if not first, home. Because I avoided prison until age 35, I knew there was more to life. As soon as I got there, I said, ‘never again’.” Edell spent his time in jail reading, studying, and avoiding cliques.

When he got out, he vowed to stay out. But finding a job can be difficult after time spent in prison. Edell was lucky though; he was referred to a post-release program in his neighborhood that collaborates with X-Cel Adult Education, a World Education-supported, Nellie Mae Education Foundation-funded program that provides a college transition program. Edell completed the program— which helps adult students brush up on college-level math and English, prepare admissions, and financial aid applications— and returned to the community college he had left more than 15 years before. He credits X-Cel with teaching him “what college is about and how to be a better student. I had to learn, after being out of school for over 15 years, how to study at a college level, and to force myself to ask questions when I didn’t understand something.”

Edell has just earned his associate’s degree at Roxbury Community College and is matriculating to the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he will continue to work toward a BA in mathematics. Thereafter, he hopes to teach math to middle-school children, because “…they are at an impressionable stage…teachers can have a big impact on middle school students’ lives and the decisions they make.”

Yet Edell is proof that adults are also impressionable and open to new ways of living and thinking. He now works at X-Cel, his ‘alma mater’ of sorts, tutoring math to GED-seeking adults. His students— young, old, Asian, Caribbean— respond well to Edell’s relaxed demeanor and practical, easy-to-comprehend way of explaining math problems. It is clear that this is a role that brings out the best in Edell. His personality shines, he is confident, knowledgeable, and respected. Edell brushes it off. “If you have support, anything is possible.”