ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
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Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.M., EdD.
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Previously, Dr. Tracy researched Math and English support programs for the MCAS in Boston Public Schools, taught English as a Second Language to teenagers and adults, taught college reading and writing courses to study abroad students, and served one year as a volunteer English teacher in the Costa Rican public school system through World Teach Costa Rica. Before founding New Summit Academy, she set up and directed the academic program at Coronado Academy, where she also taught English classes and served as school guidance counselor in matters of standardized tests and college applications and assessment.
Being a part of the founding team of New Summit Academy in 2004 has been the highlight of he career, and she feels blessed to be able to be a part of the team creating innovative, holistic, and quality education for unique young men. Her goal is to help students develop and pursue passions while enhancing traditional skills needed for college and independence in unique, interesting ways that are attractive to each student’s particular learning strengths. With engagement in activities that develop teen brains, minds, bodies, and spirits inside and outside the classroom, students are able to showcase their learning strengths, improve their learning weaknesses, earn confidence and curiosity for learning, and produce work that lives up to their potential.
She is tri-lingual (English, Spanish, and French), studied abroad in France for one year, and has lived in Costa Rica since January 2002. In her free time (free time?), she loves to travel to interesting places, dance, read nerdy books, eat good food, and take care of the various pets that seem to keep showing up at her doorstep.
Being a part of the founding team of New Summit Academy in 2004 has been the highlight of he career, and she feels blessed to be able to be a part of the team creating innovative, holistic, and quality education for unique young men. Her goal is to help students develop and pursue passions while enhancing traditional skills needed for college and independence in unique, interesting ways that are attractive to each student’s particular learning strengths. With engagement in activities that develop teen brains, minds, bodies, and spirits inside and outside the classroom, students are able to showcase their learning strengths, improve their learning weaknesses, earn confidence and curiosity for learning, and produce work that lives up to their potential.
She is tri-lingual (English, Spanish, and French), studied abroad in France for one year, and has lived in Costa Rica since January 2002. In her free time (free time?), she loves to travel to interesting places, dance, read nerdy books, eat good food, and take care of the various pets that seem to keep showing up at her doorstep.
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Catalina Rojas, Masters in Adminstration & Cert SFL Teacher, Director of AdministrationCatalina Rojas graduated with a Bachelor in International Relations from the Universidad Autónoma de Centroamerica. She worked with the Foundation Mundo de Oportunidades , where she participated in several projects related to the struggle for equality of opportunities for persons with disabilities, culminating in the opening of the National Resource Centre for the Educational Inclusion as part of the Ministry of Education in Costa Rica. She also participating in helping launch courses for learning LESCO (Costa Rican sign language). From these governmental experiences, Catalina eventually became responsible for the “Cooperation International” from the Office of the First Lady of Costa Rica. This new experience included initiatives for the socially disadvantaged. Catalina then decided to pursue a Mater's degree in Project Management which she acquired from the University for International Cooperation.
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Later, Catalina followed a similar path as her mother, who spent her life as a teacher with many years devoted to adolescents with academic problems. She began to give English lessons and Spanish lessons to children while taking classes at the British Institute. Since joining NSA in 2006, Catalina has been teaching Spanish classes and serving as the Administrative Assistant. In 2010, Catalina completed her technical degree (with honors) in teaching Spanish as a second language. Her goal is not only to teach Spanish, but to help students understand Latin American cultures and traditions. Through this experience at NSA, Catalina decided in 2010 to continue her studies and is pursuing a Masters degree in Educational Administration at La Salle University.
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Lic. Marco Arce V., Medical Coordinator & NurseBefore becoming NSA’s medical coordinator and nurse in 2019, Marco graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2009 with his Bachelors of Science in Nursing. He worked as nurse in North Carolina and then relocated to Costa Rica in 2012. Since being in Costa Rica, Marco has completed his Costa Rican licensure in nursing and has worked in various healthcare settings.
Marco has a passion for the outdoors and golfing in his free time. He loves to travel and enjoys cooking different types of food. Marco loves to spend times with family and friends, including his Dachshund, Roxy. |
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Diana Rojas, Family & Student Services CoordinatorDiana is a Certified Nurse/HHA and Clinical/Administrative Medical Assistant. She is bilingual with a TESOL Certification to Teach English as a Second Language. Diana is originally from Costa Rica but spent half of her life in California where she finished her education. Before working for NSA, Diana worked in Hospitality and Marketing where she gained her administrative and interpersonal skills. She is currently working on finishing her career in Nursing with emphasis in psychology.
In her free time, Diana enjoys arts and crafts and also teaches Salsa – Latin dances and Crochet classes. Diana has a great passion for art, dance, music, and loves spending time with her friends and her dogs. Diana is very passionate about animal rights and a loyal member of Preserve the Planet Foundation, “El Zaguate” and Fundacion “Amigo Animal” Costa Rica. |
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Lucy McDonald, Billing ManagerLucy is a key part of our administrative team. For years, she has been organizing our billing, insurance spreadsheets, and supporting Administration with her caring, collaborative personality and diverse set of administrative skills.
Outside of taking care of two young boys and her family, she finds time to help NSA keep things running smoothly. She manages billing coordination and is always organized and available for questions in accounting. We are thankful to have her as a part of the NSA team! |
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Diego Umaña Herrera, Lic. Psychologist, Human Resources ManagerDiego was born and raised in Palmares, a rural town in Alajuela with a strong orientation towards agricultural, industrial, and commercial development, all of which strongly influenced Diego’s professional path.
For more than 35 years, his family has dedicated themselves to coffee production, which has influenced Diego’s integrated vision of the productive processes that create successful businesses as well as the values important to a company’s vision–including commitment, perseverance, and work ethic. |
In 2005, Diego earned his licensure in Psychology at the University of Costa Rica. His proudest achievement in this arena has been to complete his first clinical study in Costa Rica about risk-taking youth, specifically in driving safety. From his professional experience, Diego has shown versatility and a dynamic personality to develop his position as Professor of Ethics and Leadership at the Universidad Técnica Nacional, clinical psychologist en the Centro Médico San Rafael, and for more than 10 years, he has worked in the processes of Human Resources from his psychology of human resources approach and training for various international companies.
Diego sees at NSA an enriching opportunity where he can put into practice his knowledge and experience from the field of Human Resources. Diego has a natural talent for synthesizing information to provide comprehensive and useful feedback, developing professional development plans, and implementing processes that ensure occupational health and personal and professional development, as well as business sustainability.
Among his pastimes, Diego enjoys spending time with his wife and family, reading, playing soccer, and hiking in the mountains and coffee plantations with his dog, Luka.
Diego sees at NSA an enriching opportunity where he can put into practice his knowledge and experience from the field of Human Resources. Diego has a natural talent for synthesizing information to provide comprehensive and useful feedback, developing professional development plans, and implementing processes that ensure occupational health and personal and professional development, as well as business sustainability.
Among his pastimes, Diego enjoys spending time with his wife and family, reading, playing soccer, and hiking in the mountains and coffee plantations with his dog, Luka.
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Tamara Segura Martínez, InternshipTamara Segura is a young woman who grew up in an indigenous reserve called Bajocuen. Tamara and her family are part of an indigenous group in Costa Rica called Bribri. The Bribri are indigenous people of the Talamanca region, living in the mountains and Caribbean coastal areas of Costa Rica and Northern Panama. Many Bribris are isolated and speak their own language, at home, Tamara’s parents often communicate in Bribri, this has allowed them to maintain their indigenous culture. They are able to fulfill their basic needs by growing their food and finding natural medicine.
Tamara has 8 sisters, a doggy called cabeza (head :)) and she enjoys reading during her free time. At the beginning of 2021, Tamara was presented with the opportunity of entering a three-month internship at New Summit Academy, Tamara with her adventurous mind did not hesitate and before we knew it she and her parents began crossing the 'Cuen' river on a boat from her hometown to 'Suretka'... after 13 hours of long bus rides, they finally made it to Atenas. We are very excited to have Tamara be a part of our team! |
