CSIU Program Highlight: Leadership Susquehanna Valley (LSV) Graduation

LSV completed its first year under the administrative leadership of the CSIU. The 2025-26 program year marked an important milestone in preserving and strengthening a long-standing regional leadership development program that has served the Susquehanna Valley for more than three decades. The transition to CSIU administration was completed successfully without disruption to participant programming, community partnerships, or organizational operations.

LSV welcomed a class of 20 participants representing a diverse cross-section of employers, industries, and organizations across the region including business, healthcare, education, financial services, nonprofit, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Throughout the year, participants engaged in leadership development experiences focused on community engagement, communications, government, workforce and economic development, philanthropy and service learning. Nineteen participants successfully completed the program and graduated in June 2026. 

Under CSIU's administration, the program maintained strong community partnerships, secured sponsorship support, and continued its tradition of connecting emerging and established leaders to the opportunities and challenges facing the Susquehanna Valley. Participants completed community service projects benefiting regional nonprofit organizations and developed lasting professional networks that will continue to strengthen local communities.

In addition to delivering a successful program year, LSV continued efforts to strengthen organizational sustainability through board development, alumni engagement initiatives, leadership development opportunities, and strategic planning. Participants completed DiSC leadership assessments and engaged in Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People training, while alumni were offered additional professional development opportunities through the same framework. The LSV Board of Directors advanced the organization's next strategic plan, including a review of its mission, vision, and core values to help guide the future direction of the organization and its continued service to the Susquehanna Valley.

As the organization concludes its first year at CSIU, LSV remains well-positioned for continued growth and impact. Recruitment is currently underway for the Class of 2027, and the organization looks forward to continuing its mission of developing informed, engaged, and connected leaders who will serve the Susquehanna Valley for years to come.

  CSIU Program Graduations  
Graduates have stories of hard work, perseverance, and growth. These photos and videos showcase the milestones, memories, and celebrations that marked their achievement.

Congratulations to the graduates of the Migrant Education, Work Foundations, Five Star, and Beyond Boundaries programs. 

Migrant Education Program
The Migrant Education Program supports students from migrant families by providing academic assistance, educational resources, and opportunities to help them succeed in school and beyond. On May 13, more than 375 students, families, educators, and community partners gathered at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), to celebrate the achievements of the statewide Migrant Education Program high school graduates. Attendees experienced a meaningful program that included student recognition, student speeches celebrating the diverse backgrounds of the graduates, and inspiring remarks from state dignitaries, including Dr. Carrie Rowe, Secretary of Education.

Work Foundations+
Work Foundations+ helps participants develop workplace readiness skills, explore career pathways, and gain valuable hands-on experience through internships and job training. On May 21, 18 students graduated from the program during a celebration attended by family members, friends, CSIU staff, and representatives from sending districts. As part of the ceremony, students reflected on their experiences in Work Foundations+, shared what they had learned, and offered words of encouragement and advice to fellow participants who will continue their journey in the coming year.

Five Star program
The Five Star program encourages personal growth, leadership, and goal setting while helping participants develop the skills needed for future success. 

During the 2025-26 school year, nine students successfully transitioned from the Five Star Sunbury Middle School/High School program to their home school districts or other less restrictive educational environments. Three students graduated from high school and exited the program to pursue postsecondary opportunities.

Beyond Boundaries
Beyond Boundaries empowers individuals to overcome challenges, build confidence, reach academic goals and pursue new opportunities at their own pace with support and services.  Serving two sites across 15 school districts, the program enrolled 67 students throughout the year. All nine seniors in the program graduated from their home districts.

The Class of 2026 is recognized and celebrated for the incredible journeys that brought them to this moment.

  Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Conference  The 2026 Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Conference – Uniting to Strengthen Supports for Families and Communities, was held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on May 5–7.

More than 265 participants from across the Commonwealth were welcomed, including professionals from family support, early childhood education, child welfare, education, public health, and community organizations. The conference opened with remarks from Chief Programs Officer, Dr. Shileste Overton Morris, and provided opportunities for attendees to engage in keynote presentations, workshops, networking, and a parent and caregiver panel focused on strengthening protective factors, building community connections, and supporting positive outcomes for children and families.

Highlights included keynote presentations on community engagement, prevention, and social-emotional well-being, as well as a featured art exhibit, MenTorN: A Visual Journey of Becoming, which explored personal growth, resilience, and the impact of supportive relationships. The conference demonstrated the Center for Schools and Communities’ leadership in convening cross-sector partners to advance prevention-focused and family-centered practices throughout Pennsylvania. Feedback from attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors was overwhelmingly positive.

   Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellowship Wrap-up   
The CSIU AI Fellowship Program for the 2025-26 school year wrapped up on May 14. The program brought together teams from 16 school districts and career and technical centers to explore the thoughtful and responsible integration of artificial intelligence in education. Facilitated in partnership with LEAP Innovations, approximately 80 educators and administrators were engaged through a series of collaborative learning experiences designed to meet districts where they were in their AI journey. Through a structured design-thinking process, participants examined their current realities, identified opportunities for growth, and developed practical plans aligned to their local needs and priorities resulting in meaningful progress across the region. District teams developed AI guidance documents, professional learning plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, AI literacy frameworks, and draft policies to support implementation. Participants reported growth across every measured area of the program, with the most significant increase occurring in their confidence to apply what they learned, a key indicator that districts are moving from exploration to action. The collaborative nature of the fellowship also allowed districts to learn from one another, share successful practices, and build a regional network of support.

As schools continue this work, common priorities include expanding professional development, strengthening student AI literacy and responsible use, formalizing governance and policy structures, and integrating AI into curriculum and instruction in ethical, student-centered ways.

The program has positioned the CSIU and its member districts to continue leading thoughtful conversations around emerging technologies while ensuring that innovation remains focused on improving teaching, learning, and future readiness for students across the region.