Meet The Staff

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

Director Office

Sasha Perugini

Sasha Perugini

Program Director and Director of Global Innovation
Contacts Information
  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 22
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1336

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.

Calina Mladenova

Calina Mladenova

Assistant to the Director

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 23
  • Email: cmladeno@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1336

Calina Mladenova provides administrative assistance to the Director, including appointment scheduling, visitor itineraries, and events organization and promotion.

Academic Office

Rachael Smith

Rachael Smith

Assistant Director for Students’ Academic Success

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 21
  • Email: rsmith81@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1322

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.

Laura Fenelli

Laura Fenelli

Immersive Learning Coordinator

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 21
  • Email: lfenelli@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1386

Laura Fenelli focuses on fostering immersive learning experiences, specifically designed to enhance the learning of Italian language and culture.

Olimpia Bozza

Olimpia Bozza

Internship Program & Experiential Learning

Contacts Information

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

April Child

Academic Support Coordinator

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villino Library Office
  • Email: amchild@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1359

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.

Alessandra Pino

Alessandra Pino

Field Studies Program

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 24
  • Email: alpino@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1349

Alessandra provides assistance to the Field Trip Office in planning and budgeting for course-related trips, Signature Seminars, and orientation.

Barbara Schiatti

Barbara Schiatti

Field Studies Program

Contacts Information

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.

Michelle Tarnopolsky

Michelle Tarnopolsky

Academics Assistant

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 24
  • Email: mtarnopo@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1381

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.

Student Services & Housing Office

Roberta Verlini

Roberta Verlini

Assistant Director for Student Services

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 10
  • Email: rverlini@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1327

Roberta oversees staff and operations within the Student Services team, including the Student Life Office, Health and Wellness, and Housing. She is responsible for semester planning, budgeting, and housing protocols in collaboration with the business, and SUAbroad offices. She coordinates arrivals and orientation and keeps the student 24/7 emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.

Melanie Honour

Melanie Honour

Student Services and Housing Manager

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 27
  • Email: mchonour@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1321

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.

Giulia Ricciardi

Giulia Ricciardi

Student Experience Manager

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 26
  • Email: giriccia@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1351

Giulia Ricciardi works closely with Student Life Advisors, manages student services communication, events and activities, assists the Assistant Director for Student Services in disciplinary matters, and assists the Housing Manager with housing issues and communication.

Andressa Bavaresco

Andressa Bavaresco

Wellness & Services Coordinator

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 29
  • Email: abavares@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1324

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.

David Guzzo

David Guzzo

Housing and Facilities Coordinator

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 27
  • Email: dguzzo@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1344

David Guzzo is part of the student housing staff, and housing emergencies. As a member of the student emergency team, he keeps the 24/7 student emergency phone on an occasional rotating basis.

Serena Isernia

Serena Isernia

Student Life Office

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 10
  • Email: sisernia@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1377

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.

Simone Monaco’

Simone Monaco’

Student Life Office

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 10
  • Email: smonaco@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1352

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.

Martina Daniele

Martina Daniele

Student Life Intern

Contacts Information

Martina Daniele assists the Student Services and Academic teams with planning and support for students

Business & Operations Office

Claudia Delli

Claudia Delli

Assistant Director of Business & Operations

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 25
  • Email: cdelli@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1337

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.

Nathalie Aladenise

Nathalie Aladenise

Front Desk

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa Front Desk
  • Email: naladeni@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1320

Nathalie Aladinese works at the Villa Rossa front desk, welcoming students, checking in guests and visitors, and assisting the Assistant Director of Business & Operations.

Silvia Landi

Silvia Landi

Building Maintenance

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa Front Desk
  • Email: slandi@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1320

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

Agnese Padovan

Agnese Padovan

Facilities and Operations Assistant

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 25
  • Email: apadovan@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1365

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.

Rebecca Ricci

Rebecca Ricci

Business Office Assistant

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 25
  • Email: rericci@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1326

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

Gelso Sassonia

Gelso Sassonia

Facilities & Grounds Maintenance

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa Front Desk
  • Email: gsassoni@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1320

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

HR Office

Erika Soncin

Erika Soncin

HR Manager

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 33
  • Email: esoncin@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1382

Erika Soncin manages all HR operations including payroll, overseeing recruitment and selection processes, drafting contracts, and handling related administrative tasks.

Myriam Venezia

Myriam Venezia

HR Assistant

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 33
  • Email: mvenezia@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-5031-333

Myriam Venezia assists the Human Resources Manager with payroll and other HR-related tasks.

IT Office

Salvatore Panico

Salvatore Panico

IT Manager

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 20
  • Email: spanico@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1355

Salvatore provides IT support to faculty, staff, and students. He oversees with the day-to-day operations of the IT Office as well as projects and planning.

Matteo Bianchini

Matteo Bianchini

IT Assistant

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 20
  • Email: mbianc01@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055 5031329

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

Giulio Pennetta

Giulio Pennetta

IT Assistant

Contacts Information

  • Location: Villa Rossa RM 20
  • Email: gpennett@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055 5031323

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

Architecture Program

Daniele Profeta

Daniele Profeta

Director of Architecture Program

Contacts Information

Daniele Profeta is an Italian architect and designer. He is the Director of the Architecture Program of Syracuse University in Florence. He has previously taught at the Yale School of Architecture and at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Daniele is a partner at A/P Practice, a collaborative partnership with Maya Alam. Their projects combine everyday digital habits, contemporary imaging technologies, and traditional craftsmanship to surpass an introverted conversation and open up novel forms of practice. Past work ranges from small scale public installations to sites of speculative re-use.

Jennifer Haag

Jennifer Haag

Assistant of Architecture Program

Contacts Information

  • Location: Donatello 25
  • Email: jrhaag@syr.edu
  • Work Phone: +39 055-503-1345

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.