Meet The Team

The team at LUCA exemplifies unwavering dedication to empowering first-generation students on their educational journeys. Our team offers culturally relevant programs, ensuring accessibility and resonance with the communities they serve. Their holistic, family-centered approach has led to remarkable success, with 99% of Scholars graduating or remaining on track to graduate from college within 4-6 years.

Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, MPA

Founder & Executive Director

Diana Barrera

Director of Integrated Operations and HR

Julie DelValle Nunn

Senior Operations Manager

Cathy Maroney

Senior Manager, Partnerships & Volunteer Engagement

Grace Battaglia

Senior Manager, Development and Communications

Doris Tenesaca

Communications Specialist

Jailine Batista

College Access Manager

Selena Drinks

College Access Manager

Stephanie Palacios

College Affordability Advisor

Kaylin Campos

Virtual College Coach Manager

Debra Hand

Virtual College Coach Advisor

Founder & Executive Director

Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, MPA

Born in Puerto Rico – and a first-gen Latina college graduate herself – Shirley is passionate about advocating for the needs of low-income Latino youth and ensuring they can make their college dreams a reality. Under Shirley’s leadership, Latino U College Access (LUCA) grew from a pilot program in one local high school with two LUCA Scholars to a well-recognized leader in the field of college access. Her vision has expanded the organization’s services to reach over 6,000 Latino students and families through community programming and over 200 LUCA Scholars who have successfully enrolled in college, with 99% having either graduated or are on track to graduate.

Shirley quickly established herself as a thought leader and advocate for Latino youth to address educational inequity and ensure equitable access for all. She serves on advisory boards at the Hispanic Federation, National College Attainment Network, and the Options Institute that seek insight and provide information on improving access to higher education among underserved communities.

Shirley was one of five national winners to receive the 2019 AARP Purpose Prize in recognition of her efforts to build and launch a nonprofit utilizing her life experience to “create new solutions that make the world a better place for people of all ages.” Shirley has also been featured in Time Magazine’s American Voices video series, Fortune Magazine, and Hispanic Executive Magazine for her work and leadership.

Director of Integrated Operations and HR

Diana Barrera

Diana Barrera brings extensive experience and a passion for transformative leadership to LUCA as the Director of Integrated Operations and HR. With a career spanning leadership roles in domestic and international organizations such as Pearson, ConAgra Foods, Momentive Performance Materials, and Rebilo HR, Diana has consistently delivered impactful results across diverse industries. She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Baruch College (CUNY).

Throughout her career, Diana has successfully developed multi-year strategies, led complex organizational design initiatives, and implemented innovative talent management processes that have enabled organizations to thrive. As a leader, she is deeply committed to fostering growth, collaboration, and success within her teams.

Diana is inspired by LUCA’s mission, Scholars, and their families. She envisions the operations department as a trusted, agile, and strategic partner in advancing LUCA’s mission, creating a robust foundation that drives the success of its programs.

Senior Operations Manager

Julie DelValle Nunn

Julie attended Pace University, where she majored in Management. Her professional background includes working in the banking and brokerage industries helping to elevate and build operations systems. Julie is a first-gen Latina, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where she met her husband and then moved to the Mid-Hudson Valley area to raise their son.

Julie has a passion for supporting young people and children which includes serving as Chair to the youth ministry and teaching Sunday School in her church for several years. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and great food!

Senior Manager, Partnerships & Volunteer Engagement

Cathy Maroney

It was Cathy’s experience as a “first generation” college student that drew her to
segue from a 25-year corporate career to teach writing and literature courses to
students at Westchester Community College. These students exhibited diversity in
age, skills set, and financial background, and displayed much motivation and
commitment. For the same reasons, Cathy was attracted to LUCA’s mission as one
of its first volunteers and joined the team in July 2024. Her previous
communications experience for global employers in financial services will serve the
growth of LUCA’s corporate partnerships as these employers not only promted
business excellence but focused on community commitment, funding initiatives
that increased the well-being of local communities. She earned a BA in English from
Fordham University and a MS from Columbia University’s Graduate School of
Journalism, where she received the Newswomen’s Club of New York scholarship.
She began her professional career as a reporter for United Press International, first
in New York City and then in Miami. After four years in journalism, Cathy launched
her corporate career as spokeswoman, advisor, manager and writer.

Senior Manager, Development and Communications

Grace Battaglia

Grace is a proud first-generation Latina who possesses a strong passion for mission-driven work that is fueled by a deep desire to care for and support those who need it most. After attending Manhattanville University, Grace was inspired to pursue a career that empowers individuals and families across our diverse communities – who she believes are instrumental to the growth and success of our evolving economic, social, and political landscapes.

Serving for more than fifteen years as Director of Marketing & Community Relations at Open Door Family Medical Center-one of the nation’s leading federally qualified health centers- Grace now brings her vast experience and leadership focused on brand awareness, community engagement, and targeted Marketing & Communications campaigns to LUCA. She believes strongly that “by uplifting and making the college dreams of young Scholars possible, we can uplift entire communities and break the cycle of poverty that so often is part of the first-generation experience”. Her vision is that through strategic and inspiring storytelling, we have the ability to create a lasting impact that can change the world.

Communications Specialist

Doris Tenesaca

Originally from Ecuador, Doris is a proud first-generation graduate of Manhattanville University. She understands the importance of helping first-generation students unlock their potential. In her current role as Communications Manager, she wants to help spread LUCA’s mission to as many students and families as possible. With her background in Client Care Management and Bachelor’s in Communications Studies, she is ready to use social media as a tool to inform students and their families that attending college is not just an idea that may happen but will happen.

College Access Manager

Jailine Batista

Jailine is a proud first-generation college graduate. Originally her family is from the Dominican Republic, but she was born and raised in The Bronx. Jailine holds a Bachelor`s Degree in Psychology and a Master`s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Mount Saint Vincent. While she was an undergraduate student she was a member of TRIO Student Support Services, which is a program very similar to LUCA that provides academic support for first-generation students as they navigate through higher education. Throughout her college career Jailine was inspired to provide mentorship and has participated in fostering relationships with youth as they navigate through their journey in reaching their full potential. She aligns with LUCA`s mission to serve her community in helping scholars develop academically, socially and gain opportunities to be successful.

College Access Manager

Selena Drinks

Selena was born and raised in Ossining, NY. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Group Management, both from Monroe College. For the past nine years, Selena has worked in higher education as an admissions representative, reviewing college applications for Monroe College and the University of Connecticut. With this exciting new opportunity, she is eager to transition into the field of college access, where she can leverage her extensive knowledge of college admissions to guide and support LUCA Scholars.

College Affordability Advisor

Stephanie Palacios

Stephanie is a proud Mexican and first-generation Latina who grew up in Yonkers. Graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences, she navigated the complexities of higher education as a trailblazer in her family. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Teaching English as a Secondary or Other Language, Stephanie is driven by her belief in education as a powerful tool for empowering the Latino community. Inspired by her own journey, she is committed to ensuring that others have the support and resources needed to succeed in their educational pursuits. Stephanie’s passion for education and dedication to making a difference reflects her commitment to the LUCA mission.

Virtual College Coach Manager

Kaylin Campos

Kaylin is a first-gen Latina graduate from CUNY Baruch College. She obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance & Investments with a minor in Spanish. Kaylin considers herself an advocate for social justice and is passionate about helping underrepresented youth. Her motivation to join the LUCA Familia came from her concern to help other Latinx students who struggle with the college process because of the lack of resources and knowledge available to them. She is eager to play a part in helping LUCA scholars achieve their higher education goals.

In her free time, she likes to learn new languages, explore new cultures, play soccer, watch Netflix shows & documentaries, and go on spontaneous adventures.

Virtual College Coach Advisor

Debra Hand

Debra is a native New Yorker and a proud graduate of Cornell University and Boston University School of Law. She is also a longtime member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network. Debra was a litigator for twelve years before “retiring” to raise her two daughters in Westchester County with her husband. During this time, she was an active volunteer in her community and very involved in her daughters’ schools. In addition, she became a freelance writer and editor who began advising students on perfecting their college application essays. Debra has been a LUCA volunteer College Coach and Essay Support Team Chair since 2018. She is thrilled to help the organization grow to support even more first-generation students as they realize their college dreams.