Emily Muise
Behavior Analyst
Old Dominion University
Emily Muise, EdS, BCBA-LBA has worked in the education field for almost 20 years in a variety of roles, including as a classroom teacher, special education teacher and school administrator, and is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). She is currently the Project Manager for the Cooperative for Effective Behavior Interventions and Supports and is passionate about supporting personnel working in diverse settings serving children and young people. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband and two cats and enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.
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Behavior Analyst
Old Dominion University
Dr. Vaughn Garland
Youth Education Manager
Richmond Youth Development Network/Virginia Commonwealth University
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.
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Youth Education Manager
Richmond Youth Development Network/Virginia Commonwealth University
Dr. Misti Muller
Executive Director
Mary Frances Youth Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
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 adolescents, 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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Executive Director
Mary Frances Youth Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
Christine Jones Monaccio
Professional Development and Quality Coordonator
VPOST
With over 15 years of experience in the out-of-school time field, Christine began her journey in program management with both community-based organizations and school-based settings. Currently, she excels at applying her knowledge of instructional design to architecting professional development experiences such as state conferences, communities of practice, and webinars. Christine is a seasoned speaker, having presented at numerous events nationally and locally. Combining education with advocacy, she has also pioneered VPOST STEM Youth Ambassador Program and the OST Access Map project, further solidifying her commitment to advancing the field and ensuring broader access to quality educational opportunities. In her spare time, you’ll find Christine exploring Richmond with her husband, two daughters, and rowdy beagle, seeing live music, or throwing clay on a pottery wheel.
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Professional Development and Quality Coordonator
VPOST
Bunmi Esho
Family Engagement Advisor
STEM Next Opportunity Fund
Growing up in both the U.S. and Nigeria, I witnessed the impact of my local community in shaping my path toward a degree in chemical engineering. Through everyday activities like grocery shopping, cooking, raising chickens, learning how to best purify our drinking water, and even making my own tie-dyed outfits, I saw the magic of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) all around me.
When I lived in Cambodia for three years, working alongside students and their families in Kampong Speu province, teaching chemistry to high schoolers in urban Phnom Penh, and leading community outreach efforts in STEM with students and educators across the country, I was reminded of the power our communities have and their influence on our youth, especially for youth of color.
After more than two decades of experience in the tech, education and nonprofit sectors, I’m coming back to what ignited my passion for community, education, and STEM as a young girl by working with organizations so that every child, regardless of their background, sees themselves in STEM.
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Family Engagement Advisor
STEM Next Opportunity Fund
Meg Phillips
Executive Director
Wildrock
Meg Phillips is a parent, adventurer, animal lover, educator and the Executive Director of Wildrock, a nonprofit in Crozet, Virginia, that promotes nature play for health and happiness. Wildrock’s programs incorporate environmental science, conservation and social and emotional learning. Her greatest joy comes from playing in nature with her daughter which fuels her passion to advance Wildrock’s mission to ensure all families have the same opportunity and appreciation for nature play. Meg received her BA from the University of Virginia and her MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
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Executive Director
Wildrock
Sheneika Simmons
Founder & Principal Consultant
Simmons Leadership Services
Sheneika Simmons is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Simmons Leadership Services. Sheneika earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Ferrum College, a Masters of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and is a current Ph.D. student in Human and Social Services at Walden University. She is an Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM (ACRES) facilitator, a White-Riley-Peterson Afterschool Policy Fellow, an awardee of the National Afterschool Association's (NAA) Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders and Board of Directors member, a LEAD (School Mental Health Certification (MHC) Instructor, a BOOST Café Ambassador, and a Teach For America (TFA) alumni, advisory council member, and steering committee member.
She is a former educator and currently works to support and shape a more equitable afterschool and educational landscape nationally. She has had the pleasure to engage with youth, families, schools, communities, and organizations in various capacities.
Sheneika is passionate about supporting youth to be the leaders of tomorrow. Sheneika believes that all professionals have the capacity to enhance their organizational and personal competence, confidence, and connections.
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Founder & Principal Consultant
Simmons Leadership Services
Dr. Aundrea Smiley
Faculty
Eastern Mennonite University
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Faculty
Eastern Mennonite University
Sharolyn Graybiel
CoVA Ecosystem STEM Grant Manager
City of Newport News
Sharolyn (Shar) is a results-oriented leader with over 40 years of contributions to multiple industries including military, hospitality, banking, workforce development, higher education, community services, financial/grants, non-profits, defense contracting, manufacturing, event planning, logistics, and retail sales. She has productively managed relationships between industry groups, workforce boards, academic organizations, various business partners, and local CTE.
She is a champion of STEM fluency and competency and an advocate for leveraging community partnerships!
https://cova-stem-nngov.hub.arcgis.com/
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CoVA Ecosystem STEM Grant Manager
City of Newport News
Lyn Koonce
Founder and Owner
Lyn Koonce Music
Lyn Koonce is a facilitator, vocal coach, and musician. She holds a B.M. in music education and a master’s in conducting. Lyn brings a broad understanding of how to guide people through powerful musical experiences. In addition, she has studied improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, Bobby Previte, and Music for People, and is trained in a practice called Musica do Circulo (Music from the Circle), based in Brazil. These modalities inspire and inform her signature Circle Sounds work, a powerful group process designed to help people deepen their sense of trust, communication, and creative energy. As a facilitator with a rich musical background, Lyn brings her distinctive style and creative approach to a wide range of groups seeking to build connection. Not only does she work with diverse musical groups, she also brings Circle Sounds into organizations to help teams collaborate, communicate, and connect more effectively through innovative team development programs.
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Founder and Owner
Lyn Koonce Music
