Nicole Collins
Nicole is the Director of Strategic Partnership & Outreach for Syracuse Abroad, where she leads recruitment, outreach, and marketing efforts, and develops global partner programs. Based in Cincinnati, she brings over 16 years of experience in international education, including roles at Miami University, IES Abroad, and Wake Forest University. Nicole holds a B.A. in International Studies from Case Western Reserve University and an M.A. in Intercultural Communication from Wake Forest University. She studied abroad in Costa Rica and conducted research in Peru.
Bridget Demorest
Bridget has been with the Syracuse Abroad team since 2007 and primarily focuses on student wellness, health and safety. Bridget provides students with connections to resources while working closely with colleagues locally and abroad so that students can achieve their highest potential for success. With a background in college student counseling, Bridget values the life-changing caliber of a college experience combined with an international adventure. Bridget has a BS in Family & Consumer Sciences from Mercyhurst University, and an MS in Counseling & Human Services from Syracuse University.
Laura Fenelli, Ph.D.
Laura is the Teaching & Learning Manager at Syracuse Florence, where she also teaches art history. An art historian based in Florence since 2007, she specializes in medieval and early modern imagery, saints’ iconography, and hagiography. She has held national and international fellowships and published extensively, including two books and numerous articles. Since 2009, she has taught art history for U.S. college programs in Florence and has contributed to Italian high school textbooks since 2013.
Troy Gordon, Ph.D.
Based in London, Dr. Troy Gordon is the Director of Global Teaching & Learning for Syracuse University Abroad. He served as Director of the Syracuse University London Center 2014-24, and before that as Department Chair and Associate Dean at Hult International Business School. Originally from Seattle, Troy earned a BA from the University of Puget Sound and an MA and PhD from the University of Michigan.
Sasha Perugini, Ph.D.
Professor Perugini, a Tuscan native with Serbian background, earned her Ph.D. in performing arts history from Tufts University. Leading Syracuse Florence since 2011, she champions women in leadership, serves as the program’s legal representative, and teaches cross-cultural communication and management. With five published books and numerous articles, her intellectual explorations span very diverse topics. Recently, her scholarly focus shifted to generative AI and study abroad. In 2023, she was honored with Syracuse University’s Chancellor Fellowship.
Seth Tucker
Seth A. Tucker serves as the Director of Global Safety and Student Services at Syracuse University Abroad where he is responsible for developing policy and institutional practice in the areas of global safety, risk mitigation, and crisis management. He also provides leadership for the Student Services department and, with his team, works to ensure students have a safe and engaging experience abroad. With 25 years’ experience in both academic and student affairs administration, he has previously served as the Vice President for Campus Life and Safety at Onondaga Community College and as the Director of Crisis Management at Syracuse University. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Amalia Yrizar, Ph.D.
Amalia is the Assistant Director for Academics of Syracuse Madrid, where she oversees academic affairs and teaches history and political science. She has been with the program since 2003 and plays an integral role in its academic development.Originally from Madrid, Amalia studied history at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, focusing on Spanish and European early modern and modern history. She studied abroad in Ireland during high school, an experience that sparked her lifelong passion for international education.