Meet the ACE Team!
CHELSEA DASH | Academic Advisor
Education | Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Lehman College; In progress: Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership, Lehman College
Favorite Food | Sushi
Favorite Quote | “The only consistent thing in life is change.” – Heraclitus
DELWING GAINES | Academic Advisor
Education | Master of Science in Education, Counseling and Human Development, Long Island University; Bachelor of Science - Gerontology, St. Thomas Aquinas College; Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts Studies, Elizabeth Seton/IONA College
Favorite Food | Broil or Pan-Fry Salmon
Favorite Quote | "In everything treat others as you would want them to treat you..." Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:12)
JULIA HOLNESS | Program Assistant
Education | Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Lehman College
Favorite Food | Chicken with rice and beans
Favorite Quote | "Until you spread your wings, you’ll have no idea how far you can fly.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
MIKE KALER | Director
Education | Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Spanish, Ramapo College; M.B.A. in Management, Mercy College
Favorite Food | Kimchi grilled cheese
Favorite Quote | "Of course, you’re general, but you’re also specific. A citizen and a person, and the person you are is like nobody else on the planet. Nobody has the exact memory that you have. Your life is already artful, waiting, just waiting and ready for you to make it art.” – Toni Morrison
KELLY MATOS | Academic Advisor
Education | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Iona University
Favorite Food | Tacos al pastor
Favorite Quote | “We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” – Kurt Vonnegut
KIMRA MATTHIAS | Academic Advisor
Education | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Lehman College, CUNY; Master's of Public Administration, City College of New York, CUNY
Favorite Food | Red Velvet Cake
Favorite Quote | "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
NICOLE MONTE | Associate Director
Education | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Kean University
Favorite Food | Sushi – Philadelphia Roll
Favorite Quote | “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” -Maya Angelou
JAZMIN RODRIGUEZ | Financial Aid Specialist
Education | Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, New York City College of Technology, CUNY; Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science, Hostos Community College, CUNY
Favorite Food |Mexican Food
Favorite Quote |“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value." -Albert Einstein