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About Mary and Frances Youth Center

The Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC) was founded in 2007 on Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park campus in Richmond, Virginia. Its creation was driven by a vision to offer a supportive environment where local youth could participate in educational and recreational activities. 

From the start, the center’s mission has been to foster positive youth development, with its cornerstone program, Lobs & Lessons, offering tennis instruction combined with life skills and academic engagement. Over the years, MFYC expanded its programming to include a multi sport focus including STEM in Sports and training in youth workforce development, such as the VCU Advanced Certificate in Youth Development Management. The center also plays a significant role in the region’s Youth Program Quality Intervention, aimed at improving the quality of afterschool services across Richmond​

Staff

Misti R. Mueller, Ed.D.

Executive Director
Mary and Frances Youth Center
muellermr@vcu.edu
(804) 827-0802

Misti Mueller, EdD has 30 years of experience as an educator. She taught middle school health and physical education for 18 years before moving into the role of teacher educator at VCU. Her research interests focus on increasing physical activity levels and enjoyment of physical activity for adolescences, STEM in Sports, and supporting movement throughout the day for K-12 students through active lessons that support academic content. As the Executive Director of the Mary and Frances Youth Center, Dr. Mueller is dedicated to supporting positive youth development through sports and community engagement.

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Vaughn Whitney Garland, Ph.D.

Youth Education Manager
Mary and Frances Youth Center
garlandvw@vcu.edu
(804) 828-2696

Dr. Vaughn Whitney Garland has over twenty-five years as a Richmond-based educator, community builder, and artist in Richmond. His expertise spans youth education, program development, fostering community dialogue, and contributing to place-making initiatives. Currently serving as the Manager of Youth Education at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, a Virginia Commonwealth University department under the Division of Community Engagement, Garland earned both a Ph.D. and an M.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has held positions in many of Richmond 's non-profit arts and cultural organizations.

Daninelle Derricott

Program Coordinator
Mary and Frances Youth Center
derricottd2@vcu.edu
804-828-9276

Daninelle Derricott is a former Marshall University football player and a member of the Marshall University Hall of Fame. His outstanding performance on the field led to a successful career in the NFL. After his time as a professional athlete, Derricott transitioned into a leadership role as the Program Coordinator at the Mary and Frances Youth Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). In this position, he is dedicated to empowering youth through education, athletics, and community engagement, leveraging his sports background to inspire and mentor young people.

Headshot of Daninelle Derricott

Student & Intern Staff

Cyrinah Clabon

Senior
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Elementary Education & Teaching with a certificate in Disability Studies
Dream Job: Child Life Specialist or Child Psychologist

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va

Fun Fact: I played cello for 8 years! And went to a visual and performing arts academy in high school

Aliyah Tokan

Senior
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Psychology
Dream Job: Echo Tech

Hometown: Chesterfield, VA

Fun Fact: I know the flags of nearly every country in the world. 

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Marzia Farhana

Doctoral Student
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Art Education
Dream Job: Professor in art

Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Fun Fact: I do large paintings and installations for my art projects

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Laila McGlone

Senior
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Social Work
Dream Job: To be an LCSW at Children’s National Hospital in D.C.

Hometown: Chesapeake, VA

Fun Fact: I am a middle child!

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Betty Kiconco 

First year, Masters
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Sports Leadership
Dream Job: Executive Director of Sports Academy

Hometown: Lorton, VA

Fun Fact: I do Crossfit

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Julia Vu

Senior 
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Hpex
Dream Job: Physician

Hometown: Centreville, VA

Fun Fact: I’ve met Ariana Grande at the airport.

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Cynara Manley 

Junior
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Hpex
Dream Job: Pediatric Registered Nurse 

Hometown: Hampton, VA

Fun Fact: I am the President of a cheer organization at VCU. 

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Trequan Newsome 

Freshman
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Physical therapy and exercise science 
Dream Job: Being a Physical therapist

Hometown: Henrico, VA

Fun Fact: I love art 

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Pilar Jemmot 

Senior
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Social Work 
Dream Job: A Traveling social worker and a school social worker.

Hometown: Chesapeake, VA

Fun Fact: My name means a pillar of strength 

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Isaiah Hylton 

Sophomore
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Music Education - Secondary Choral
Dream Job: High school or middle School teacher

Hometown: Chesapeake, VA

Fun Fact: I can juggle

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Jada Cheely 

Freshman
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Social Work 
Dream Job: To help people 

Hometown: Hampton, VA

Fun Fact: I like to chill by taking nice walks!

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Shalom Ejikeme

Sophomore
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: Criminal Justice 
Dream Job: Lawyer

Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA

Fun Fact: French is my first language 

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Nelie Ceron-Cru

Junior
Mary and Frances Youth Center
Major: International Business
Dream Job: A job where fashion meets business

Hometown: Stafford, VA

Fun Fact: I have 4 siblings. The youngest is almost two decades younger than me!

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