Her Story
About Hilda
Hilda Cacciavillani is a dedicated education professional and advocate serving as a Student Advocate with Prince George’s County Public Schools, where she supports high school students facing academic, behavioral, and personal challenges. In her role, she assists at-risk students with truancy concerns, serves as a court liaison, and connects students and families with critical resources, including support for food insecurity, housing instability, and other barriers to success. With approximately 10 years of experience in education, Hilda has built her career around empowering students, strengthening relationships, and ensuring every learner has access to the support they need to thrive.
In addition to her student advocacy work, Hilda serves as a Restorative Approaches School Site Coordinator, helping implement restorative practices throughout the county to promote accountability, conflict resolution, and positive school climates. Following the pandemic, she played a key role in establishing an in-house substance abuse counseling clinic designed to provide students with accessible support and resources, contributing to efforts that helped reduce youth overdoses. Her previous experience as an ESOL Paraprofessional and Spanish Interpreter further reflects her commitment to serving diverse communities and creating inclusive educational environments.
Hilda earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from Prince George’s Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Restorative Justice at Liberty University. Hilda attributes her professional growth and achievements to her Christian faith, the mentors and supporters who have guided her journey, and her dedication to her three sons, who have been a source of inspiration throughout her educational and career advancement. Through her advocacy and restorative work, she continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, families, and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Hilda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I do believe that I'm a Christian person, so I believe that God has put the right people in my path and helped me to overcome my own insecurities, and my love for my children has been the most important part, so every time that I was not sure if I wanted to make a move, or if I wanted to go back to school, if I wanted to have 2 or 3 jobs in the beginning to be able to support myself, I look at my children, and that was the only reason why I am where I am.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice was from my mentor, one of my elders in my church: To be able to make a change, you must have the education along with what you're looking for to do. So I took it serious, and now I'm enrolled, I finished my associate and my bachelor's, and now I am enrolled for my master's in criminal justice with emphasis in restorative justice. Along with your passion and your ethics, you have to put the effort and not to just move up for money, but for what you're trying to do, because to be sitting on those tables, you need to have the education. Unfortunately, the title matters.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I will to young women in general give the advice that you must know yourself, respect yourself, and respect others. And see clear the path that you're looking for, because if you don't know what you're looking for, it's hard to achieve it. So get small goals. And then as you achieve small goals at a young age, you start looking for the big goals. As far as the career in education, if I was now back in college, I will take it to the max immediately. I will go for my doctorates right away. And also surround yourself with people that already are where you want to be. Who you're hanging out, it really matters.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My most notable professional achievement is the implementation of an in-house substance abuse small clinic after the pandemic. We suffered high issues with overdoses starting in 2021. There is not much help for youth under 18 going through substance abuse in this county and state. Along with colleagues, we started finding resources escalated to state level with MSC and health department, found resources and money to hire substance abuse counselors. In 2023 we brought inside the school a substance abuse counseling area, something never seen before, and overdoses decreased.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My most important value is respect, because I think with respect you will find many other things, so to get to be a respectful person, and to respect others, you must have other values, you know. You must be humble, you must be honest, you must be loyal, and then achieve to the respect level, so those are the things that I go by.
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