Communities In Schools of Washington bids a farewell to State Director, Elizabeth Hodges. After over four years of impactful services for the Communities In Schools® (CIS®) organization in Seattle (3 years) and at the state office (1 year), Elizabeth leaves behind a lasting contribution. Her dedication and leadership will be missed, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
A Legacy of Commitment and Impact
Elizabeth’s dedication to the CISWA mission is evident in everything she has done. Her passion for education and her unwavering commitment to providing every student with the opportunity to succeed are truly inspiring. During her time, Elizabeth has:
- Strengthened CISWA’s statewide network: Elizabeth built strong relationships with CIS affiliates across Washington, ensuring that students in every community have access to the support they need.
- Championed equity and inclusion: Elizabeth was a vocal advocate for creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.
- Cultivated meaningful partnerships: Elizabeth forged strong partnerships with community organizations to bring valuable resources to students.
- Charting a United Course: Working alongside the CISWA staff and board to complete a comprehensive strategic plan at the State Office and partnered in development of the first Network Common Agenda.
A Message from Elizabeth Hodges, State Director of Communities In Schools of Washington (outgoing):
As I depart, I carry immense gratitude for the last four years of combined service to CIS of Seattle and CIS of Washington. I especially appreciated traveling to various CIS affiliates this past year as the State Director and witnessing the transformative power of CIS to bridge the gap between students furthest from educational equity and the support they need to thrive. These interactions allowed me to listen closely, gaining insights into the unique strengths and challenges of each community. It has been an honor to contribute to the collective impact we’ve made in the lives of students and communities in Washington state.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the mission of Communities In Schools of Washington. I know the future is bright under the leadership of this incredible team.
A Message from Julie Kerby, CISWA Board Chair:
I am most grateful to Elizabeth for her contributions to CISWA and impact at the local, state and national level to benefit CIS and the communities we serve! Her integrity, passion and unwavering commitment to our mission have propelled us forward. We thank her for leading us through the creation of a 5-year strategic plan to serve as our roadmap for growth and sustainability.
Additional Messages from Communities In Schools® (CIS®) Leaders:
“Communities In Schools, the staff in Washington, and the students we serve will continue to see the ripples of Elizabeth’s heart and mind for building sustainable impact,” says Rey Saldaña, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National Office. “She has been a force multiplier and moral compass to those team members she recruited and set on course while at the state office. I am grateful for her service and will recall her lessons proudly.”
“Elizabeth led Communities In Schools with integrity and authenticity, inspiring the best in the people around her,” says Sam McVeety, Former Communities In Schools of Seattle Board Chair. “Her work to support our students, build partnerships with community, and grow leadership among the staff reflects her deep commitment to building a strong, resilient future.”
Thank you, Elizabeth, for your incredible contributions to CISWA. While Elizabeth’s departure creates a temporary leadership gap, we are confident in the strength and dedication of our CISWA state office staff and the commitment of the CISWA board, continuing to support the success of our students and our network across Washington. This includes the recent promotions of Erica Limon-Trefielo to Associate Director and Nikki Ziegler to Program & Impact Director, further bolstering the full CISWA team’s capacity.
The CISWA Board of Directors is already actively engaged in the search for an interim State Director. Erica Limon-Trefielo will support State Director duties until the interim leader is in place to ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum. As we look forward to the next chapter of CISWA’s journey, we are confident that the foundation Elizabeth has laid will continue to serve our students and communities well.
Stay Connected
To stay up to date on CISWA news, please follow the organization’s newsletter and social media channels. We also encourage anyone who may have questions or concerns to reach out to CISWA Board Chair, Julie Kerby at boardchair@ciswa.org.