Our Team

 
 

One More Thing

My perfect Saturday - Getting up early, going for a bike ride around the lake, coming home to read and drink my coffee, then spending the afternoon with my husband attending an outdoor festival or doing something we haven't done before.

JANET MORRISON-LANE

Executive Director

Dr. Janet Morrison-Lane began at VMYDF as the Director of the EAGLE Scholars college readiness program in 2012 and became the Executive Director in 2021. Dr. Janet (as she is referred to by the Scholars) grew the program from a 5-week summer program into a year-round program where 93% of Scholars go directly into college after high school with an average of $14,000 in financial aid and 71% graduate from a four-year university. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from Harding University, a Master of Science in Reading and a Doctorate in Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction from Texas A & M - Commerce. Dr. Morrison-Lane was a Leadership ISD Fellow, served on the Friends of the Dallas Public Library board, wrote for the Dallas Morning News Community Voices, was chosen for the Dallas Public Voices Greenhouse Op-Ed Project, and received the Gail Reese Ward Excellence in Mentoring Award from SMU.

Dr. Janet believes that young people deserve to have choices in life and believes that college and education should be accessible to everyone. She is passionate about creating a world where people have a voice at the table.


BLANCA LErMA

Family Support Specialist

Blanca studied Auxiliary Accounting in Mexico City at the Escuela Superior de Auditoría y Contaduría IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional). Before Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation, she was a volunteer at a community center where the director of the volunteer group connected her to Martha Stowe, former Executive Director. Blanca has been with VMYDF since 2009 and maintains several certifications including Positive Parenting Certification, Parents Anonymous Facilitator Certification, ARC Parenting Certification and Engage Parenting Facilitator Certification.

Blanca is passionate about connecting with people regardless of their country of origin. She firmly believes in providing resources to immigrant families who, like her, arrived in the United States without prior knowledge of the school system their children would be attending. Blanca's goal is to help them have a better experience of life in this new country.

One More Thing

If I wasn’t working at VMYDF, I would definitely be volunteering with as many nonprofit organizations as possible. 


YASMIN milan

Manager of Business Operations

Yasmin actively participated in the EAGLE Scholars program from 2012 to 2018. After high school, she interned with EAGLE Scholars through AmeriCorps in 2019. Graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2021, Yasmin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Woman's University. Impressed by her academic excellence and dedication, Dr. Janet offered Yasmin the Administrative Assistant position at EAGLE Scholars, which she gladly accepted. Her outstanding performance led to a promotion to oversee operations in the newly established Success Center.

Currently, Yasmin plays a vital role in overseeing all operations within the Success Center, effectively managing various tasks and providing valuable support. Her dedication and expertise continue to be instrumental in the organization's success and growth.

Yasmin is passionate about EAGLE Scholars, which played a pivotal role in her life for six years. As a first-generation student, their unwavering support during high school and college ensured she never felt alone. Inspired by the impact they had on her, Yasmin became an intern for the program and remains dedicated to spreading their mission to as many students as possible.

One More Thing

My perfect Saturday would consist of having brunch with my friends/family, exploring a new place in the city or doing something new and ending it with a movie. 


One More Thing

If we held an office talent show, I’d wow everyone with my clarinet playing… call me Squidward!

Khaliyah Carter

College Success Manager, EAGLE Scholars (7th - 9th grade)

Khaliyah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Communication with a minor in Mass Communication from the University of Central Florida. Following college graduation, she enrolled into the City Teaching Alliance program, leading to the attainment of her Master’s in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University.

During her time in the City Teaching Alliance program, Khaliyah was placed in an Uplift Education school, where she spent 5 years teaching International Baccalaureate English II and Theory of Knowledge to 11th and 12th graders. Her innovative approach to teaching earned her an Exemplary designation from the Texas Education Agency, placing her in the top 20% of educators in Texas for the 2021-2022 school year.

Khaliyah’s journey in the classroom revealed her true passion for having candid conversations with students about their aspirations. Recognizing the importance of providing resources and guidance beyond traditional teaching methods, she is committed to empowering students to take control of their futures though the guidance of VMYDF.


Cassandra Garcia

College Success Manager, EAGLE Scholars (10th -12th grade)

Cassandra (Cassie) Garcia is a first-generation high school and college graduate from Dallas, TX. She studied University Studies of Leadership, Minoring in Business and Communications at Texas A&M University. While obtaining her degree, Cassie was a Peer Recruiter for A&M, a Math and Reading tutor for K-9th grade, and a brand associate for Old Navy.

Cassie volunteered her time as a student voice for Leadership ISD when she was in Dallas and was Vice President of an organization on campus called First Generation Aggies. After graduation, Cassie worked at a small law firm in Dallas focusing on estate planning for three years. While helping people understand the importance of an estate plan, she was able to be a board member for a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping Latin college students through mentorship and scholarships.

Cassie’s degree and these positions only ignited her passion, which drove her even further to join VMYDF. In fact, her desire to help others and give back to the community has been what she wanted to do since she was a kid. While in high school, she discovered the powerful impact having the support of just one person can do to inspire motivation in someone. To be placed in the position to become that one person for students is Cassie’s dream and is proud to say she is now living it.

One More Thing

Now if the office held a talent show, I would wow everyone with my whistle talents I hear so many rave about.


SYREETA PRITCHETT

College Success Director

Syreeta graduated from Agnes Scott College in Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Minor in Spanish. She also participated in a vigorous Business Program with Georgia Tech University to learn various professional administrative skills.

One More Thing

My perfect Saturday includes a day near the water–whether it be a lake, beach, or stream after an early morning hike. I also enjoy attending my son’s soccer games and going to brunch with family and friends.

Syreeta loves working with youth and believes in community partnership. In 2019, she was selected to be a part of the New Leaders Council, a social and political change fellowship that develops inclusive, cross-sector leaders with hopes of transforming their community.

Prior to joining VMYDF, Syreeta implemented college access programs for over eight years as the Road to College Counselor for Uplift Education, while helping underserved youth achieve college admissions. She has also taught U.S. History and served as the Program Manager for over 600 youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.

Syreeta received the Employee of the Year award for Uplift Education and various Continuous Learning Grants. She maintained 100% college acceptance for all of her scholars during her eight-year tenure. She plans to continue that tradition at VMYDF, as a proponent for community equity and change. Her goals are to create sustainable systems that benefit all stakeholders including the organization, scholars and families.


2023 -2024 Board Members

John Neill, President and Founder
 The Telesis Company

Harry Smith, President Elect
 Pegasus Bank

Ellen Wood, Treasurer
 Teaching Trust

Katrina Hobbs
 Dallas ISD

Hesam Hosseini
Match.com

Jonathan Hustis
 Teakwood Capital

Sharon Mumert
Volunteer

Barbara Neill
Community Volunteer

James Payne
 JP Morgan