Celebrating Graduates and Building Community

From coast to coast, Communities In Schools® (CIS®) graduates are crossing the stage—and into a supportive alumni community. Cecilia Lee, Principal of Alumni Relations at CIS National, reflects on the graduations and alumni induction events she attended across the country, celebrating milestones and the power of showing up.

In May, I had the privilege of attending graduation and alumni induction events at five incredible Communities In Schools affiliates: CIS of Atlanta, CIS of Baytown, CIS of Memphis, CIS of Los Angeles, and CIS of New Mexico. These events were filled with laughter, tears, and pride—but above all, they reaffirmed our collective commitment to building a future where every CIS graduate feels supported, connected, and empowered.

At CIS, our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. But our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. We’re dedicated to continuing that support beyond high school, and these alumni induction events are a testament to that promise.

Attending these celebrations allowed me to witness the incredible network of support provided at each CIS affiliate. I met the caring adults who pour their hearts into ensuring that every student and graduate feels seen, heard, and celebrated. Their efforts help build the foundation for CIS National's alumni work, ensuring our graduates nationwide have access to a network of support as they embark on new journeys.

-Cecilia Lee, Principal of Alumni Relations, Communities In Schools National

To the Class of 2025—congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone. Your hard work, resilience, and determination have brought you to this moment, and we couldn’t be prouder.

To the families and communities who stood beside you—thank you. Your support and belief have been the foundation of this success.

To our affiliate leaders and site coordinators—your unwavering dedication and commitment continue to inspire and drive our mission forward.

And to our alumni—your stories, leadership, and voices are the heartbeat of this movement. As you step into your future, know that we are with you—cheering you on and walking beside you as you write your next chapter.

As we continue to grow our alumni work, one thing is clear: showing up matters. Together, we’re building a movement that ensures every CIS graduate remains part of a caring, connected community—today, tomorrow, and always.

Learn more about CIS National's Alumni Community →

Cecilia reflects on CIS of Atlanta's 2025 Ignite celebration →