Two top experts in the fields of education and child development recently joined our YMCA Family Centers at Walt Disney World® Resort. Dr. Kinyata McGee-Swope, who holds advanced degrees in education, is the new Executive Director of the Y’s Sherbert location. And Mary Anderson, 25-year YMCA early learning professional, has assumed leadership of the Lake Buena Vista location.
Mary replaces Nicci Bucher who has been elevated to the Y’s new District Executive Director of Early Learning Programs.
Dr. McGee-Swope is a Chicago-based child development and education expert who holds a Ph.D. in Teacher Leadership from Walden University and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy from National-Louis University.
She's also been certified as an Infant Specialist through Erickson Institute, one of the nation’s top child development graduate schools.
With a 25-year career within the Y movement, Mary Anderson has served in executive child development roles with the YMCA of Greater St. Paul in Minnesota and the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA.
During this time she oversaw education, literacy, and kindergarten readiness programs, as well as curriculum development, quality control, and accreditation,
As the Y's new District Executive Director of Early Learning Programs, Nicci Bucher will oversee both YMCA Early Learning Centers at the Walt Disney World® Resort. She will also serve as the project manager for strategic planning and technology implementation. Nicci has served with the Y for 11 years, most recently as Executive Director of the Lake Buena Vista Family Center.
"Top experts in the fields of education and child development, combined with a highly trained, caring staff, are key components of what sets our YMCA Child Developments Centers apart," said Shannon Matthews, YMCA Executive Director of Youth Development. "We are excited about the expertise of Dr. Kinyata McGee-Swope, Mary Anderson, and Nicci Bucher as we continue to exceed expectations in serving the needs of Disney Cast Member families."
For more than a decade, the YMCA’s Childhood Development Centers at Walt Disney World® Resort have been providing Disney Cast Member families with quality, affordable early learning programs, extended-hour child care, family-strengthening programs and more.