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 and Director of Global Innovation
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, acting as the program’s legal representative, and teaches cross-cultural management and communication. Perugini has published widely on topics ranging from language to food to AI and bias, and she received the Chancellor’s Fellowship in 2023. She is involved in advocacy for women’s leadership and regularly leads dedicated seminars on the subject. As Director of Global Innovation, she leads development of new learning and business initiatives across the Syracuse Abroad centers and helps to strengthen alumni engagement.
Nathalie Aladinese
Front Desk
Villa Rossa
Email: naladeni@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-320
Nathalie Aladinese works at the Villa Rossa front desk, welcoming students, checking in guests and visitors, and assisting the Assistant Director of Business & Operations.
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
Student Services and Housing Manager
VR-Rm 27
Email: mchonour@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-321
Melanie Honour oversees housing staff, student housing assignments, and housing emergencies. As a member of the student emergency team, she keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.
Serena Isernia
Student Life Office
VR-Rm 10
Email: sisernia@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-377
Serena’s main goal is to ensure that every student feels supported and can reach their full potential. 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.
Nicole Loparco
Health and Wellness Advisor
VR-Rm 33
Email: nloparco@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-361
Nicole assists with matters of health and wellness for students. This includes accompanying them to medical appointments, providing support, and helping them adjust to their time abroad. She also keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.
Calina Mladenova
Assistant to the Director
VR-Rm 23
Email: cmladeno@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-336
Calina Mladenova 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: +39 055-5031-355
Salvatore provides IT support to faculty, staff, and students. He assists with the day-to-day operations of the IT Office as well as projects and planning.
Giulio Pennetta
IT Assistant
VR-Rm 20
Email: gpennett@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-323
Giulio Pennetta assists the IT office with maintaining the school’s extensive computer network and technical operations.
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, assists with faculty-led summer programs from the US, and keeps the emergency field trip phone.
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 for faculty and students. She works closely with the Academic and Student Services teams to ensure that students get the best possible learning experience during their time with us.
Erika Soncin
Human Resources Manager
VR-Rm 26
Email: esoncin@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-382
Erika Soncin manages all HR operations including payroll, overseeing recruitment and selection processes, drafting contracts, and handling related administrative tasks.
Michelle Tarnopolsky
Academics 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 Syracuse Florence Newsletter, and oversees the Syracuse Florence website.
Myriam Venezia
HR Assistant
VR-Rm 26
Email: mvenezia@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-381
Myriam Venezia assists the Human Resources Manager helping with payroll and other HR-related tasks.