CIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024

Ms. Allen is a Retired Educator of Rome City Schools.

She has served on the CIS Board of Directors since 2014.

“I have always wanted to work with children, which is what led me to teaching special education for 32 years. Even through this, I still wanted to find some way to give back to the children and to our community. I jumped at the chance to become involved with Communities in Schools of Rome-Floyd County initially as a mentor, which evolved into a position serving on the Board of Directors. CIS is an organization who is out there for the students who are looking for help or believe that they need a little more of a push in order to become successful. We are here for motivation, as someone they can turn to if they are having a problem, etc. I have enjoyed being a part of the success of Communities in Schools and are looking towards the future in excitement for all that we can accomplish.”

CIS Board Chair 

Ms. Cisneros is a Member Service Specialist at Coosa Valley Credit Union.

She has served on the CIS Board of Directors since 2019.  

“As a teen mom who attended the Phoenix Performance Learning Center (PLC) and worked firsthand with Communities in Schools, I knew that I wanted to continue to stay involved and help other students, like me, succeed. Ms. Gail Veal and the other staff at the PLC pushed me through each and every class, which enabled me to graduate with my high school diploma. When I was approached about serving on the CIS Board of Directors, I knew that this was my chance to serve as an example to students, so they see that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. To have a group of people, like CIS, looking out for your future is so incredible and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that once I made it out. I couldn’t have done it without the help of Communities in Schools, and I hope other students realize that the entire community is rallying behind them in hopes of helping them succeed.”

CIS Treasurer

Mr. Diehl is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Harbin Clinic. 

He has served on the CIS Board of Directors since 2015. 

“I initially got involved with Communities in Schools through their Mentor Program. I served as a mentor to two different students in 2005 and in 2015 and was really excited to have been asked to then serve on their Board of Directors. I have a lot of belief in the programs that CIS spearheads and believe that the value they bring into the community is second to none. CIS is one of those organizations where it is a win-win. They not only benefit those students who need additional opportunities, but our community gets the value out of those engaged citizens as well. I am proud to represent CIS and I believe that it is a worthwhile program, both individually and community wide.”  

Ms. Johnson is the Assistant Dean of Students at Berry College.

"I fell in love with the mission of Communities in Schools when I became a volunteer mentor as a college freshman in 2008. I had graduated from Rome High School and wanted to invest in other young people in my community. Communities in Schools invests additional resources into our public schools and gives dedicated attention to students who need it most. I want all students to feel supported, have access to the opportunities around them, and be inspired and equipped to achieve their dreams. Now as a higher education professional working in the field of college access and student success, I’m excited to be a champion for Communities in Schools as a board member and look forward to working with its amazing staff."

Dr. King is the Dean of the School of Education at Shorter University. 

This is her first year serving on the CIS Board of Directors. 

“Being a teacher, I quickly realized that students have needs beyond just academics. It was only fitting to be involved with Communities in Schools because they meet those needs, whether that need is physical, like clothing or food, or just social and emotional needs. I recognize the importance of serving the whole child and sometimes, as educators, we are limited to what we can do, which is where CIS comes in to fill that gap. I have enjoyed getting to see, firsthand, the evidence of our work and how it has manifested itself within these students and their futures.”

Mr. Lee is Engineering and Facilities Manager at Pirelli Industries.

He has served on the CIS Board of Directors since 2018.  

“Communities in Schools of Rome-Floyd County’s mission to support students through mentoring and serving as that positive role model in their student’s lives is something that I know I benefitted from growing up, which is why I am so passionate about helping the students of Rome and Floyd County. Through my increasing involvement with the 100 Black Men of Rome and the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Center, I was able to connect with several members of CIS who opened that door to continue aiding children on their path to success. There are so many kids who do not have that ‘village’ to help support them, which is where Communities in Schools steps in to help guide our students to stay on the right path. Anything I can do to help my children, as well as other children, succeed in life is something that I have always wanted to do.”

Ms. Lively is the Health Education Coordinator for Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center.

"I first became involved in Communities in Schools by being a judge in their annual Cardboard Challenge. I had also met Greg beforehand because he serves on the board of directors for the non-profit I work for, and our non-profit is a sponsor of the Cardboard Challenge! The work that CIS does closely ties with the work I do at Blue Ridge AHEC. I provide K-12 students with resources to help them figure out what they want to do after high school, and also show them what the healthcare field has to offer. Together, we both just want what is best for the students and show them that they can be successful! Communities in Schools goal is to support students in any way, no matter the circumstances, and help them accomplish their goals. Showing students that someone is there to support them is probably the thing I love most about CIS. I am so thankful for all the work that Greg does and the opportunity to be a part of Communities in Schools!"

Ms. Perkins is the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Professional Learning  for Rome City Schools.

"I was actually the first principal of the Phoenix Performance Learning Center in 2010. I was part of the initial conversations to partner with CIS and Rome City Schools PLC. I worked closely with CIS to develop our partnership when I opened up the PLC until I left in June 2021 (This was my last day as principal and I started at Central Office July 2021). Mr. Wooten was my site coordinator many years ago. We have come full circle because he is now the Executive Director and I am on the Board of Directors. 

  "I believe in the mission of CIS because I saw for 11 years the impact CIS has directly on students with all of the support they provided whether it be supplies, incentives, or encouragement. CIS provided so much to my students while I was the principal at the PLC.  We had an amazing relationship!  Attendance was once an issue when we first opened the PLC but CIS quickly assisted us with this. Ms. Veal would call our students daily if they were absent and would often go on home visits with Mrs. Willis to check on our students. Our students knew that their attendance was important to us. Ms. Veal would provide incentives to encourage our students to have good attendance. 

"CIS worked closely with our amazing partners (100 Black Men of Rome, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, & Omegas) to sponsor field trips for our students and to provide the best Mentors in Rome, Georgia!   We had one of the strongest mentor programs that I have ever seen. I still run into former students who ask me about Mr. Wooten or Ms. Veal because of the impact they had on their life. We are blessed to have CIS in Rome City Schools and I look forward to us expanding our relationship in the future."  

CIS Vice Chair/Secretary

Ms. Emma Wells is the Floyd County Solid Waste Director. The Rome-Floyd Recycling Center falls under my umbrella of supervision.

"CIS is a wonderful organization that I am thankful to play a small part in!  I first became involved with CIS through their annual Cardboard Challenge. This program tied together my interests with educating students about recycling and reimagining new products, and my background in Environmental Education. (I formerly served as a biologist at the Rome-Floyd ECO Center.) I love how the challenge encourages students to literally think outside the box, and know there are no limits on what they can dream up!

Communities in Schools is exactly what their name says, an opportunity to get communities into schools. They provide a wonderful bridge between schools and partner organizations that allow us all to be more effective in serving our local students and their families. CIS provides Rome and Floyd County students with a link to their future, and support for their present."