ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
"There is nothing noble in being better than someone else; nobility comes in being better than your former self.” –Whitney Young
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Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.M., EdD. Executive Director & Co-FounderDr. Heather Tracy is the co-founder and Executive Director of both New Summit Academy and The Bridge - Costa Rica young adult gap program. Heather earned an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in psychology and French at Saint Louis University where she was 1 of 10 Freshmen to earn the highest honor of a full-ride, four-year scholarship as a Presidential Scholar. She then continued her studies at Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a Masters degree of Education in Human Development & Psychology with coursework and research focusing on adolescents at-risk and school reform. In 2014, Heather completed her Doctorate of Education in K-12 Leadership with a dissertation about the importance of holistic education (specifically, the social, psychological, physical, and emotional foundations of learning and growth) for at-risk adolescents to build resilience and learn and live more effectively.
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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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Tatiana Umana, Medical Coordinator & NurseTatiana Umana has been NSA’s amazing nurse and medical coordinator since 2009. Tatiana completed her licensure as a nurse in Costa Rica and has been keeping tabs on our young men’s health issues ever since. She prepares and supervises medication, sets up and accompanies students to doctor appointments, and implements general health protocols at NSA.
Her attention to detail and organizational skills are second to none, and parents truly appreciate her proactive communication regarding health issues. From dental appointments to surgeries, one can be sure that Tatiana is on top of everything necessary to ensure good medical care and great family communication. |
In her free time, Tatiana enjoys participating in NSA’s Aventura program–saving turtles and climbing the beautiful peaks of Peru, good music, travel, and spending time with family and friends. Her cats appreciate her inability to say “no” when they need a loving home and good food.
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Daisy Rojas, BA, Lic, Tech Spanish Teacher, Cultural CoordinatorBefore joining NSA in 2006, Daisy graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica as a Forest Engineer in 1988. She has worked in various forest programs in Costa Rica, working on monitoring sustainability of forest operations, reforestation, and environmental education. In addition, Daisy completed her license in education while working with a program for teen mothers, helping them complete their education as a teacher of math and sciences. She also completed (with honors) a technical degree in Teaching of Spanish as a Second Language through the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. These experiences lead Daisy to begin teaching Spanish and Environmental Sciences at NSA.
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Daisy holds dear her spiritual beliefs, family values, and desire to serve her community. These have guided her work as a person, mother of two, wife, and professional educator. She is a loving person whose joy for life, unlimited hugs, and hope for the future make her a joy to work with and a person to admire.
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Diana Rojas, Student Services AdministratorDiana 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 husband, Cesar, and her dogs, “Chispa” & “Doc”. 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. 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.