About Us

Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Organization Timeline

2012-13

2013-14

2015-16

2014-15

CIS-TN is established
3 schools in Nashville

4 schools in Nashville

Memphis added to the CIS-TN network

5 schools in Nashville
2 schools in Memphis

7 schools in Nashville
13 schools in Memphis

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

6 schools in Nashville
19 schools in Memphis

6 schools in Nashville
21 schools in Memphis

17 schools in Nashville
16 schools in Memphis

18 schools in Nashville

CIS of Memphis becomes
an independent affiliate

CIS-TN launches a three-year pilot program in
23 rural high schools

2020-21

Founding Task Force

The following community members came together to begin the work of CIS in the state of Tennessee.

Alene Arnold

Executive Director | Tech Plus Tennessee

Hal Cato

CEO | Thistle Farms

Alice Chapman

Managing Partner | MP&F Communications

Lonnell Matthews

Director | Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods & Community Engagement

Sean McCray

Manager | HCA

Candice McQueen

Commissioner | Tennessee Department of Education

Danielle Mezera

Education Consultant

Kathryn Kubiak-Rizzone

Physical Therapist

Julie Simone

Lipscomb University

Jim Shulman

Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability

Ronnie Stenie

Councilman-At-Large

Kaki Friskics-Warren

Executive Director | Dan & Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund

Jeff Yarbo

Tennessee State Senator

National Network

The story of CIS began in the 1970s, when Founder Bill Milliken, then a youth advocate in New York City, came up with the idea of bringing community resources inside public schools – where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. Operating in more than 2,300 schools in the most challenged communities of 25 states and the District of Columbia, CIS serves 1.5 million young people and their families each year.

“It’s relationships, not programs, that change children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.”

- Bill Milliken

Founder & Vice Chairman of Communities In Schools, Inc.