Celebrating Our Team: A Day of Appreciation & Recognition

The mission of CIS of Eastern PA is powered by its people: dedicated professionals who show up every day to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed, both in school and in life. This June, staff from across our region gathered at Bear Creek Mountain Resort for our annual Staff Appreciation and Awards Celebration, a special occasion to reflect on the impact of the past year, celebrate milestones and recognize outstanding contributions from our teammates. 

The event highlighted the incredible work happening across our schools and communities while honoring those who embody the values and mission of CIS.

Celebrating Years of Service

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was recognizing staff members celebrating service anniversaries with CIS of Eastern PA. These milestones represent years of commitment to students, families, schools, and communities throughout our region.

President and CEO Tim Mulligan celebrated his 15-year service anniversary at this year’s event. During the ceremony, CIS of Eastern PA Board President Adrian Marsh of Olympus Corporation of the Americas presented Tim with a recognition honoring his leadership, vision, and dedication to expanding CIS’s impact across Eastern Pennsylvania. Under Tim's leadership, the organization has grown significantly while maintaining its focus on ensuring every student has access to the relationships and resources they need to thrive.

Other anniversaries included:

10 Years

• Nicolas Camacho, Southern Middle School

• Dan Foulk, Easton Area Middle School

5 Years

• Courtney Stunz, Stony Creek Elementary School

• Caleb Baukman, Fleetwood Middle School

Data Master Award: Amy Scanlan (South Mountain Middle School)

Recognizes an individual who uses data to drive student success and strengthen program impact. 

Amy uses data in meaningful ways to better support students, set collaborative goals, and measure progress. She also effectively communicates outcomes with school leadership, helping strengthen partnerships and ensure services continue to correlate with student needs.

Collaborative Impact Award: Pocono Mountain School District Team

Josh Gurin, Kristy Montero, Sarah Stiff, and Kati McMullin earned this award for building strong partnerships that have expanded access to essential resources for students and families. Through collaboration with schools, community organizations, and local businesses, the team addressed needs ranging from food and clothing to transportation and medical assistance while strengthening connections throughout the district.

Collaborative Impact Award: Caleb Baukman (Fleetwood Middle School)

Caleb was recognized for partnering with school counselors to implement innovative supports for students facing behavioral and mental health challenges. Through evidence-based social-emotional learning programming and a Trauma-Informed Boxing initiative, Caleb helped students build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and improve their overall well-being.

IDEA Excellence Award: Marisol Lara (Avon Grove Intermediate School)

Honors those who advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in meaningful ways. 

Marisol has become a trusted advocate for immigrant, migrant, and undocumented families, helping them feel welcomed, supported, and connected within the school community. Her dedication to removing barriers and ensuring families can access necessary resources has impacted many students and families.

Make the Dream Work Award: Francine Scoboria & Ana Acosta-Colon (Southwest Middle School) and Sterling Young-Trapp (Reading High School)

Francine, Ana, and Sterling were awarded for their outstanding teamwork in creating a structured support program for middle school basketball players. By combining academic support, mentorship, relationship-building, and basic needs assistance, they created a space where students can thrive both on and off the court.

Five Basics Award: Dejalyn Ware (Southern Middle School)

Recognizes an individual who fully embraces the Communities In Schools model. 

Dejalyn has created meaningful opportunities for students through mentoring, leadership development, career exploration, restorative practices, and social-emotional support, exemplifying the heart of the CIS approach.

Bill Milliken Leadership Award: Kristen Hackman (Eyer Middle School)

Honors exceptional leadership and service; named for the founder of Communities in Schools.

Kristen was recognized for her unwavering dedication to students, collaborative approach with school staff, and willingness to go above and beyond to strengthen programs and supports. Her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to excellence make her a role model within CIS and beyond.

The IMPACT Award: Phil Parise, Director of Programs

Recognizes individuals whose leadership inspires growth and positive change. 

Phil earned this recognition for his supportive leadership style and commitment to staff development. He consistently empowers team members, encourages innovation, and creates growth opportunities, helping strengthen CIS programs and organizational culture.

The CARE Award: Wendy Seiffert, Director of Learning & Practice

Celebrates individuals who exemplify Commitment, Accountability, Relationships, and Equity. 

Wendy embodies these values through her compassionate leadership, dedication to supporting others, and ability to foster trust and connection throughout the organization. Her steady guidance and genuine care for colleagues continue to make a lasting difference across the agency.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrated this year's award recipients and service milestones, one theme remained clear: the strength of CIS of Eastern Pennsylvania lies in the people who bring our mission to life every day. Their passion, creativity, and commitment ensure that students across our region have the support systems they need to overcome barriers, achieve their goals, and realize their full potential.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and anniversary honorees, and thank you to every member of the CIS of Eastern Pennsylvania team for the difference you make every day!