Lisa.jpg

Lisa Descant, LPC-S, LMFT-S

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa Descant brings over 20 years of counseling and leadership experience to her role as Chief Executive Officer for Communities In Schools of Houston.

For years she has worked together with state, community and education leaders on critical efforts to support students and their success in school and in life. Lisa was introduced to CIS while volunteering for Boys & Girls Clubs as a college student at The University of Texas at Austin. It was through that experience she recognized her purpose: to support students who are coping with major life challenges and everyday stressors so they can focus on achieving their full potential. A licensed professional counselor and marriage & family therapist, Lisa earned her Master of Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University and worked for CIS in elementary, middle and high schools. With CIS of Houston since 2003, Lisa has served as a Student Support Project Manager, Director of Quality and Standards, Chief Operating Officer and now Chief Executive Officer.

Lisa is proud to be a member of the Advisory Board for the Houston Education Research Consortium at Rice University. She represents CIS of Houston as a member of Communities In Schools of Texas where she serves on the Legislative Committee. Lisa is currently the President for the Supporters of Texas Students’ Success. And Lisa was recently nominated to serve on Texas Education Agency’s House Bill 906 Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services.  

And at the core of it all, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children.


Janet Chung, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Janet Chung graduated from the University of Houston, University Park with a Master’s Degree of Accountancy and Taxation. She joined Communities In Schools of Houston in January 1992 after graduation and is strongly committed to the CIS mission. She believes that education is the key to success. When you empower students to keep learning and developing new skills, they are ready to take the challenge when an opportunity arrives. She enjoys traveling around the world and visiting national parks. She is an avid photographer and has won awards in Photographic Society of America, Gulf State of Camera Club Council, international photo exhibitions, and local camera clubs.   


Cicely Dove

Director of program operations

Cicely Dove brings over 20 years of leadership experience in Social Services to Communities In Schools of Houston. Recently, as the Chief Program Officer of Crisis Services for Crossroads Rhode Island, she provided strategic direction and leadership in the administration and management of all of crisis and shelter services which includes the statewide coordinated entry, five emergency shelter programs, and housing navigation services. Cicely holds a BSW from Rhode Island College, a MS in Organizational Management and Leadership, and will be obtaining her Ph.D. in Human Services, with a special concentration in Public Service Leadership in 2023.  Cicely strongly believes in CIS’s Integrated Student Support Model and how it creates the pathway to success for students and families.  Cicely and her family recently relocated to Houston where she lives with her husband Brandon and their children Brianna and Moriah and dog Luna. In her spare time, Cicely enjoys spending quality time with her family, taking family trips, spending time outdoors.


Matt A edited.jpg

Matt Garcia-Prats

Chief operating officer

Matt Garcia-Prats has joined Communities In Schools of Houston as the Chief Operating Officer after having spent more than fourteen years serving in under-resourced communities in Los Angeles and Houston. His experience as both a classroom teacher and as an administrator enabled him to understand that in order to create long term academic success, we must address the non-academic barriers faced by our students and families. Matt attended the University of San Diego obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. While teaching in Los Angeles, he earned his Masters in Education from Loyola Marymount University. After moving into Administration, he obtained his Masters in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University and completed coursework at the University of St. Thomas to receive his Texas Principal Certification. In his free time, Matt enjoys reading and spending time with his wife and his three young boys.


Shubhra Endley, LCSW-S

Director of Mental Health and Wellness

For over 25 years Shubhra has been dedicated to the provision of school-based mental health services to children and families across the greater Houston Area, and has worked with CIS for 23 of those years. She attended the University of Texas at Austin obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Social Work. She is a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor and has provided supervision to emerging social workers for over 15 years. She served two terms as a board member with the Texas National Association of Social Workers advocating at state and local levels for the social work profession and mental health access. Her passion for CIS comes from her belief that school-based services provide the support students need to stay in school and have a healthy future. In her free time, Shubhra enjoys reading, walking in the park, and enjoying local art.


Michele McClinton

Director of Human Resources

Michele McClinton joined Communities In Schools of Houston as the Director of Human Resources with 12 years of human resource management experience and 19 years in the HR space altogether. Having worked in both private and nonprofit sectors, she has comprehensive knowledge in all facets of human resources. Michele is a native Houstonian and first-generation college graduate. She attended the University of Houston-Downtown where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, and then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management. She believes strongly in the CIS mission, and belief that, “programs don’t change people, relationships do.” She has a passion for animal rescue, volunteering and fostering large dogs for a local animal rescue group. She also enjoys the outdoors and staying active between exercising and playing with her dogs, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.


Kathryn Medina

Director of strategic partnerships

Kathryn Medina is a graduate of Baylor University where she earned a Bachelors in Psychology. Her love of people led Kathryn to teach junior high school Spanish for 3 years in Katy ISD while serving as an athletic coach to girls’ volleyball, basketball and track. Just prior to joining CIS, Kathryn taught social studies at a bilingual international school in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic which is where she discovered her love of social work and community development. Kathryn will obtain her Masters of Science in Non-Profit Administration in 2023 from Louisiana State University Shreveport.

Kathryn has worked for CIS of Houston in a variety of roles since 2009 -- Student Support Manager at Cullen Middle School in HISD, Northbrook Middle School in SBISD and Benavidez Elementary School in HISD. Her time on campuses allowed her passion for relationship building and community partnership creation to thrive.  Most recently, she spent 4 years on the Central Office team as the Executive Assistant and Board Liaison supporting the CEO, Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team. Her proudest achievement is the creation of Achieve and Empower U, the program for new employees to receive on-going support and mentoring while on the job. Her favorite pastimes include travelling, creating different forms of art, spending time with family and being a mom.


A. Nahhas TA7A5074crop_pp.jpg

Aline Nahhas

Director of Quality and Standards

As Director of Quality & Standards, Aline Nahas paints a picture of CIS’ work through data collection and management. She also holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Texas Southern University. Aline has worked for CIS since 2010, first working with students on an elementary school campus and then as Director of Quality and Standards since 2015. Aline believes that education is THE KEY to changing a community. She believes in a holistic approach for greater impact by targeting the community, the family and the student themselves. She is also a world traveler with a love for international philanthropy, culture, food and fashion.


Tej Singh, L.C.S.W..jpg

Tej Singh

Director of Professional Development

As Director of Professional Development, Tej focuses on enhancing professional growth and skills development in support of CIS staff who empower students to succeed in school and achieve in life. He has served with CIS since 2008 while working with students in middle school and high school. He believes that CIS team members deserve thoughtful, engaging, and impactful professional development to help them pursue their work with great effectiveness and joy. When Tej isn't working, he enjoys traveling, playing board games, spending time with family, and trying new cuisines.


D. Wotkyns TA7A5069crop_pp V2.jpg

Donna Wyatt Wotkyns

Director of Development

Donna has worked with CIS for 20 years, serving students on high school campuses for many years before becoming Director of Development. She attended Southern Methodist University for her undergraduate studies and then graduated with her master’s from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. Donna’s dedication to CIS comes from her love of kids, and she enjoys spending time with her four fabulous granddaughters, counseling, and swimming.