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
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-336
Dr. Sasha Perugini manages and leads the Syracuse Florence program and its staff and faculty. She conducts strategic business planning and curriculum development; acts as the program’s legal representative; regularly consults and communicates with the home campus and the center’s legal team; represents the institution both locally and abroad; and fosters communication inside and outside the institution. As a member of the SU Florence faculty, Dr. Perugini teaches a 3-credit course in cross-cultural management and communication.
Kevin BarnettKevin Barnett provides oversight for all technology operations in collaboration with and reporting to ITS and Syracuse Abroad. This includes technology architecture and design, hardware and software life-cycle management as well as the initiation of new projects. He is also responsible for ensuring compliance with data security and privacy regulations.
Olimpia Bozza
Field Studies and Internship Programs
Email: obozza@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-332
Olimpia Bozza is in charge of planning, scheduling and budgeting course-related field trips and site visits. She responds to field trip-related emergency calls on the dedicated field trip emergency cell phone and she keeps the all-school 24/7 emergency phone on a rotating basis. Olimpia also coordinates the Internship Program.
Silvia Brandi
Field Studies Program
Email: florencefieldtrips@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-331
Silvia Brandi is in charge of planning, scheduling and budgeting field trips for Syracuse Florence’s I-Explore program. She responds to field trip-related emergency calls on the dedicated field trip emergency cell phone.
Rossana Degli Innocenti
Building Maintenance
Email: rdinnoce@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-337
Rossana Degli Innocenti oversees all ordinary maintenance of Syracuse Florence’s buildings, grounds, and leased properties and is responsible for ensuring that Italian and American safety codes are met and adhered to.
Lucia Fantoni
Assistant to the Business Office
Email: lfantoni@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-352
Lucia Fantoni assists the Business Manager with the collection and dispersal of funds, payments, and general business operations.
Jennifer Haag
Assistant to the School of Architecture
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.
Sylvia Hetzel
Library Coordinator and Web Content Administrator
Email: syhetzel@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-359
Sylvia Hetzel is responsible for library operations, including aquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, preservation, and reference services. She handles student textbook orders for courses with required texts and is responsible for making content updates to the website upon request.
Melanie Honour
Student Life Advisor
Email: mchonour@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-321
Melanie Honour provides general information and support to students in the Student Life Office, including scheduling students’ doctor appointments and taking sign-ups for student life activities. As a member of the student emergency network, she keeps the 24/7 emergency phone on a rotating basis.
Fabio Landi
Network Systems Assistant
Email: flandi@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-329
Fabio Landi assists the IT manager with maintaining the school’s extensive computer network and technical operations.
Silvia Landi
Front Desk Reception and Building Maintenance
Email: slandi@syr.edu
Silvia Landi is responsible for campus mail distribution, classroom and equipment upkeep, cleaning and maintenance services, front desk assistance, and receptions for special events.
Zama Mbense
Community Engagement Consultant
Email: zmbense@syr.edu
Roberta Mugelli
Housing Office Assistant
Email: rmugelli@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-328
Roberta Mugelli assists with the placement of students in Italian homestays and apartments. She acts as the primary liaison with host families and each semester organizes and leads a student-host weekend excursion.
Giulia Ricciardi
Assistant to the Director
Email: giriccia@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-336
Giulia Ricciardi provides administrative assistance to the director, including appointment scheduling, visitor itineraries, and events organization and promotion.
Gelso Sassonia
Facilities & Grounds Maintenance
Email: gsassoni@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-337
Gelso Sassonia assists with the upkeep of Syracuse Florence’s building and grounds as well as with audiovisual equipment operations and maintenance.
Erika Soncin (currently on maternity leave)
Assistant to the Director
Email: esoncin@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-336
Erika Soncin provides administrative assistance to the director, including appointment scheduling, visitor itineraries, and events organization and promotion.
Michelle Tarnopolsky
Academic Office Assistant
Email: mtarnopo@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39 055-5031-381
Michelle Tarnopolsky provides program assistance to the Academic Office and edits the Syracuse Florence magazine, the Villa Rossa Voice.
Bob Vallier
Curriculum and Pedagogy Specialist
Email: rvallier@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-386
Bob Vallier has a D.E.A. from the Université de Paris and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from DePaul University, where he also served as the Assistant Director of the Honors Program. He previously worked with international programs in Paris, where he taught courses in Philosophy and the Humanities at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences-Po), the Sorbonne, and Columbia University in Paris. He now oversees all operations of the Academic Office at Syracuse Florence.
Alessandro Verri
Student Life Assistant
Email: averri@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-320
Alessandro Verri works at the front desk of Villa Rossa providing logistical information and assistance to students and visitors. He oversees the SU Florence soccer team and is a member of the 24/7 emergency phone team.
Jessica Volpe
Assistant Director for Student Life
Email: jbvolpe@syr.edu
Work Phone: +39-055-5031-327
Jessica oversees the teams within the Student Life, Health and Wellness, Community Engagement, and Housing offices. 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 24/7 emergency phone on a rotating basis during the semester.