Clayton State signs MOU with Communities in Schools of Atlanta

(April 15, 2024) - On Tuesday, April 9, Clayton State University President Dr. Georj Lewis and Communities in Schools of Atlanta Chief Exec. Officer Frank Brown as well as representatives from both Clayton State and CIS of Atlanta met at the Clayton State’s University Center.  

Lewis and Brown gathered to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) intended to build stronger relations between both institutions.

The MOU focuses on creating and promoting a scholarship program “unique to students from CIS of Atlanta pipeline to enroll at Clayton State University.” Using a “gap funding approach,” both Clayton State and CIS are dedicated to “support enrollment, retention, and graduation of these students with minimal to zero debt.” 

To ensure a successful partnership between both institutions, high school students will be recruited by CIS through a scholarship applicant pool from partnering high schools within its six service districts – Atlanta, Clayton County, DeKalb County, Fulton County, Griffin-Spalding County, and City Schools of Decatur Public Schools.

Following recruitment, CIS of Atlanta will then engage and partner with the site coordinators, counselors, and leadership at partnering high schools to recruit students for admission to Clayton State University, whose support staff will collaborate with CIS to connect case-managed students with the appropriate campus programs and resources to earn their respective degree.

A key component of the renewed agreement includes Clayton State University and CIS of Atlanta mutual agreement to hire a Student Success Coordinator who will provide continuous support to CIS of Atlanta scholars while being housed at and employed by Clayton State.

“Our mission is very simple – surround kids with a community of support and empower them to stay in school and change their [lives],” Brown said. “For us, a high school diploma is simply not enough ... we’ll do whatever it takes to help you have these students walk across the stage with the least amount of debt in four years.”

“I think the work we’re going to do is going to change south of I-20,” Lewis said. “We serve students from all over the [world], but I’m looking forward to us having an impact in this community. We’re looking forward to a great partnership.”