Meet the Staff

Syracuse Florence’s highly qualified staff is committed to helping students make the most of their study abroad experiences in Florence.


Sasha Perugini

Program Director

VR-Rm 22

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-336

A native of Tuscany with Serbian background, Professor Perugini is fluent in Italian, Serbian and English. She earned her Laurea Magistrale (MA comparable) in English and Russian at the University of Siena and her doctorate in History of Performing Arts from Tufts University. She has been the Director of Syracuse Florence since 2011 and acts as the program’s legal representative. She teaches cross-cultural management and communication. Perugini has published five books and many scholarly articles on topics ranging from language to food to AI and bias. Recipient of the Chancellor’s Fellowship in 2023. She is involved in advocacy for women in leadership, and regularly leads dedicated seminars on the subject.


Kevin Barnett

Information & Communication Technology

VR-Rm 20

Email: jkbarnet@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-355

Kevin Barnett collaborates with the IT Manager at SU Florence and at other Syracuse Abroad centers on the development and upkeep of information and communication technology systems.


Andressa Bavaresco

Wellness & Services Coordinator

VR-Rm 27

Email: abavares@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-324

Andressa Bavaresco is responsible for student health and wellness services. She helps students with the kinds of personal, social, and cultural concerns that can arise during their time in Italy. She keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.


Olimpia Bozza

Internship Program & Experiential Learning

VR-Rm 24

Email: flrinternships@syr.edu; obozza@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-332

Olimpia Bozza is in charge of  the Syracuse Florence Internship Program. She also manages course fees and budgeting for site visits and course related field trips and handles matters related to acquisitions for studio arts courses. She keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.


April Child

Academic Support Coordinator

Villino Library Office

Email: amchild@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-359

April Child is responsible for all library operations including circulation, reference assistance, cataloging, and resource management. She also assists with academic operations and provides support for students with academic accommodations.


Claudia Delli

Assistant Director of Business & Operations

VR-Rm 25

Email: cdelli@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-337

Claudia Delli oversees all aspects of the budget, ensures compliance with health and safety protocols relating to our students and our facilities, and manages general operations throughout the Syracuse Florence campus. She also keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.


Jennifer Haag

Assistant to the School of Architecture

Donatello 25

Email: jrhaag@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-345

Jennifer Haag handles budget transactions and bookkeeping operations for the Architecture department in cooperation with the Business Manager. She is responsible for organizing the architecture field study trips, cataloging new acquisitions, and maintaining updated files in the Faculty Research Library. She also coordinates office operations and building maintenance for the Architecture Studios. 


Melanie Honour

Housing & Services Facilitator

VR-Rm 27

Email: mchonour@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-321

Melanie Honour is responsible for student housing and information services. As a member of the student emergency team, she keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.


Fabio Landi

Network Services Assistant

VR-Rm 20

Email: flandi@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-329

Fabio Landi assists the IT office with maintaining the school’s extensive computer network and technical operations.


Silvia Landi

Building Maintenance

VR-Front DeskEmail: slandi@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-320

Silvia Landi is responsible for campus mail distribution, classroom and equipment upkeep, cleaning and maintenance services, and receptions for special events.


Francesca Messeri

Assistant to the Director

VR-Rm 23

Email: fmesseri@syr.edu

Work phone: +39 055-5031-336

Francesca Messeri provides administrative assistance to the director including appointment scheduling, visitor itineraries, and events organization and promotion.


Simone Monaco’

Cultural Connector

VR-Rm 10

Email: smonaco@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-352

Simone Monaco provides general information and assistance to students in the Student Life Office including sign-ups for the various activities offered at Syracuse Florence. As a member of the student emergency team, he keeps the 24/7 emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.


Agnese Padovan

Facilities and Operations Assistant

VR-Rm 25

Email: apadovan@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-365

Agnese works in the Business & Operations office. She deals with various suppliers and contracts, managing day-to-day facilities-related requests.  She also helps to organize events and visits.


Salvatore Panico

IT Assistant

VR-Rm 20

Email: spanico@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-323

Salvatore provides IT support to faculty, staff, and students. He assists with the day-to-day operations of the IT Office and helps the IT Manager with projects and planning.


Alessandra Pino

Immersion & Guidance

VR-Rm 10

Email: alpino@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-320

Alessandra provides cultural immersion guidance to students in the Student Life Office. As a member of the student emergency team, she keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.


Rebecca Ricci

Business Office Assistant

VR-Rm 25

Email: rericci@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-326

Rebecca Ricci assists the Assistant Director of Business and Operations with administrative tasks related to the budget and expenditures.


Gelso Sassonia

Facilities & Grounds Maintenance

VR-Front Desk

Email: gsassoni@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-337

Gelso Sassonia assists with the upkeep of buildings and grounds as well as with audiovisual equipment operations and maintenance.


Barbara Schiatti

Field Studies Program

VR-Rm 24

Email: florencefieldtrips@syr.edu; bschiatt@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055 5031331

Barbara Schiatti plans, schedules, and budgets for the optional I-Explore and I-Experience field trips and manages the logistics of the course-related field studies. She also handles budgets and logistics for Signature Seminars and assists with faculty-led summer programs from the US.


Rachael Smith

Assistant Director for Students’ Academic Success

VR-Rm 21

Email: rsmith81@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055 5031322

Rachael Smith is responsible for coordinating academic operations and ensuring things run smoothly. She liaises closely with the Student Services and administrative teams, providing support to faculty and students.


Erika Soncin

Human Resources Administrator

VR-Rm 26

Email: esoncin@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-382

Erika Soncin provides administrative support to Human Resources operations and organization.


Kamila Subko

Human Resources Administrator

VR-Rm 26

Email: ksubko@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-333

Kamila Subko is responsible for overseeing HR administration tasks and people management focusing on communication and effective teamwork.


Michelle Tarnopolsky

Academic Office Assistant

VR-Rm 24

Email: mtarnopo@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-381

Michelle Tarnopolsky provides program assistance to the Academic Office, gives campus tours for alumni, edits the Villa Rossa Voice newsletter, and oversees the Syracuse Florence website.


Jessica Volpe

Assistant Director, Student Services

VR-Rm 29

Email: jbvolpe@syr.edu

Work Phone: +39 055-5031-327

Jessica oversees staff and operations within the Student Services team, including the Student Life Office, Health and Wellness, Community Engagement, and Housing. She is responsible for semester planning, budgeting, and housing protocols in collaboration with the business, risk management, and SUAbroad offices. She coordinates arrivals and orientation and serves as backup to Emergency Team staff outside of office hours. She also keeps the student 24/7 emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.