Top workplace recognition reflects impact on students across South Carolina
May 4, 2026
Integrated Media Publishing names Communities In Schools of South Carolina a winner of The South Carolina Top Workplaces 2026 Award
Communities In Schools of South Carolina (CISSC), a statewide nonprofit organization connecting students to critical resources and relationships, has been awarded a South Carolina Top Workplaces 2026 honor by Integrated Media Publishing.
The award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage, an employee engagement technology partner. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling respected and supported, enabled to grow and empowered to execute.
“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it comes directly from the voices of our team,” said Jamie Cooper, president and CEO of CISSC. “We have been intentional about building a culture where people feel supported, valued and deeply connected to purpose. That culture shows up every day in the work we do with students, schools and communities across South Carolina. I am incredibly proud of our team and the impact we are building together.”
As one of the state’s leading student support organizations, CISSC works alongside schools and community partners to surround students with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to stay in school and succeed in life. The organization’s people-first culture reflects its broader mission of creating supportive environments where both students and staff can thrive.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage.
“That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure employees have a voice and are heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Across South Carolina, many students face significant challenges out of the classroom that can affect attendance, academic performance and long-term success. CISSC works directly inside schools to help address those challenges by connecting students and families to community resources, supportive relationships and individualized support.
According to CIS national and statewide data, CIS-supported students are 99% more likely to stay in school, and national data shows a $260,000 lifetime earning gap between students who drop out and those who graduate.
By keeping students in school and on a path to graduation, CISSC is not only changing individual lives but also strengthening South Carolina’s workforce, economy and communities.
This recognition reaffirms the importance of CISSC’s contribution to its employees, donors and the students and communities it serves.
For more information, visit www.cisofsc.org, www.energage.com, or www.topworkplaces.com.
ABOUT COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Communities In Schools of South Carolina is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Working directly inside schools across South Carolina, CISSC connects students and families to critical resources and relationships that remove barriers to success and help young people thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
ABOUT ENERGAGE
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into actionable business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from millions of employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers industry-leading benchmarks and insights that help organizations build and sustain people-first workplace cultures.
