Communities In Schools Celebrates 2025 “All In for Students” Honorees
Award Winners to be Recognized at CIS’ 18th Annual Leadership Town Hall Conference
CONTACT: Whitney Faison, [email protected], 315-420-6049
Communities In Schools® (CIS®), the national organization working inside schools empowering all students to achieve in school and succeed in life, is set to honor the 2025 All In for Students honorees who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to helping students stay in school, graduate and move forward toward a brighter future.
The Communities In Schools All In for Students Awards is an annual national recognition and celebration of the individuals and partners working to make a significant impact in schools and communities across the country.
Honorees include:
Site Coordinator Award: Zahra Makkawi, a student support coordinator at CIS of Michigan, helps students overcome personal challenges, improve academic performance and build confidence by providing consistent support and guidance.
Zahra uses her community connections to link students with the resources they need. During her two years as a student support coordinator, Zahra has expanded the food pantry program at Oakman Elementary in Dearborn, Michigan, by offering frozen food options and partnering with community members and organizations that replenish the pantry. She also significantly expanded the open house/ back-to-school night last school year, providing more than 1,000 units of food, hygiene products, clothing, and school supplies. Zahra currently provides academic tutoring after school to her case-managed students who need additional support with math and language arts.
Education Partner Award: Superintendent Toscano, an East Central graduate, has served the last 20 years of his career with East Central ISD as a teacher, coach, and principal, including the last 10 years as Superintendent of Schools.
Superintendent Toscano knows that it takes more than a focus on academic rigor to ensure all students have equitable opportunities to realize their potential.
Over the course of CIS of San Antonio’s (CIS-SA) partnership with ECISD, the district has integrated the CIS staff and model of services into their own trauma-informed EC Cares comprehensive case management approach, ensuring that all students are connected to individualized supports necessary for school and future success.
In 2023, with additional funding, CIS of San Antonio (in partnership with ECISD) has been able to expand programming and deliver a continuum of tiered, behavioral health supports across 12 school campuses to reach approximately 11,000 students and 1,400 school personnel.
Distinguished Service Alumni Award: Dominic Cummings, is a former CIS of Jacksonville student whose CIS story began in middle school. During that time, his life underwent significant transformation. Throughout college, he stayed connected with his mentor for guidance on courses and beyond, which helped keep him on the right path.
After graduating from the University of North Florida with a degree in Business Administration, and a career in the banking industry, Domnic dedicated time to work with CIS of Jacksonville as an AmeriCorps literacy tutor. Inspired by the mentorship he received, he signed up to be a mentor himself.
Dominic gives back to his community because he understands the profound impact one caring adult can have on a young person’s life. He’s experienced firsthand how having someone who believes in you, especially when you struggle to believe in yourself, can transform your trajectory.
This year’s All In for Students honorees represent the commitment and innovation of the Communities In Schools Network. Every day, school administrators, site coordinators, and alumni go above and beyond to ensure students are thriving in school and life. The National Office is incredibly proud of this year's honorees for making a difference and creating a lasting impact on schools and their communities.
-Dana Smith, Vice President, Organizational Health & Performance, Communities In Schools National Office.
The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday November 11, in conjunction with the annual Leadership Town Hall Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana where CIS leaders from across the country will join prominent education thought leaders and policymakers.
Since 2007, the All In for Students Awards have honored the contributions of key alumni, staff, education and funding partners, legislative representatives, business and community leaders, and others who have demonstrated their commitment, expertise, compassion, and fulfillment of the Communities In Schools® (CIS®) mission: to connect students in need with a caring adult who helps them stay in school and succeed in life.
About Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools® (CIS®) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside more than 3,000 schools across the country, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront, and overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building an equitable path to education for future generations. Follow us for news @communitiesinschools on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, @cisnational on X (formerly Twitter) or with the hashtag #BeingPresentMatters.