ACCENT
Florence Team
Michelangelo D'Elia
Director
Michelangelo, as the Director of the Florence Center, is responsible for the management and administration of all ACCENT Florence programs. He takes care of what is behind the scenes, developing programs before their arrival, leading the Florence team, and ensuring the smooth running of programs. If needed, Michelangelo is more that happy to be “on stage” interacting with students, helping them with all sort of matters and making sure that students have a wonderful experience. Michelangelo was born in Southern Italy but as soon as he got the chance he moved north. First to the University of Bologna (branch in Rimini on the Adriatic coast), then to Sweden on a study abroad year-long program at the University of Uppsala, near Stockholm. Having discovered the charm of studying abroad, Michelangelo applied for an exchange program at the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. This was his first experience in the United States, which was followed by a summer internship in Florida and one in Dublin, Ireland. Not yet satisfied, Michelangelo worked for a year at Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT in the Romance Languages department before returning to Italy.
Lauren Severini
Senior Programs Coordinator
As Senior Programs Coordinator, Lauren helps the Florence Center Director with the daily management of the ACCENT Florence Center while serving as a liaison with US faculty and administrators to organize each study abroad program. Lauren also plays an active role in program development in the preparation of budgets for all of ACCENT’s European Centers. Lauren was born in NJ and came to Italy on the New York University in Florence Program as a sophomore and completed three semesters abroad. She returned to Italy to work in the field of study abroad when she graduated, and after years of living, working and traveling in Italy, she has made it her home.
Daniela Grosso
Housing Coordinator
As Housing Coordinator, Daniela is responsible for the housing search and assignments for all ACCENT Florence students. As a native Florentine, Daniela has a wealth of knowledge of the city. She also has over 15 years of experience working with study abroad students from all over the world. Once a study abroad student herself, in England, she understands the experience of living and studying abroad.
Beth De Felici
Programs Coordinator
As Programs Coordinator, Beth is responsible for the organization of various cultural events, such as lectures, theater performers, movie nights and soccer games. She also maintains the upkeep of the ACCENT Center bulletin boards and flyers, assuring that the information given to the students is current and accurate. Beth was born in rural Minnesota and then attended the state school there. She came to Italy many years ago to assist in writing guide books, but realized that her talents could be better put to use in the study abroad setting, where she has worked for the past four years. She knows from experience that moving to a foreign city can be the most exciting as well as frightening time in one's life. With her understanding of the needs of study abroad students she is hoping to make the transition as effortless as possible, and help take away some of the unnecessary burdens so students can focus on what is really important to them.
Ludovica Sodo
Programs Coordinator
As Programs Coordinator, Ludovica is responsible for helping students with their needs as well as working in the Volunteering and Internship Programs. She was born in Napoli and studied at the University of Napoli “L’Orientale”, where she earned a masters degree in African Studies. Ludovica then started her travels to Africa to collaborate with development programs. She moved to Florence with an NGO several years ago and fell in love with the city. Having worked in the field of education of foreigners in Italy and in primary education in Africa, she perfectly understands the importance of studying abroad to learn and appreciate different cultures.
Mariarosa Mettifogo
Academic Coordinator
As Academic Coordinator at the Florence Center, Mariarosa is in charge of all the academic aspects of the University of California and University of Minnesota programs. She plans classes, coordinates faculty, and advises students on all matters related to their academic curriculum and performance. She also serves as liaison with the home institutions, providing support on course registration, grades, and academic requirements. Mariarosa has experience with both international academic exchange and study abroad programs. After graduating from the University of Verona in Foreign Languages and Literatures, she received a Fulbright Fellowship to pursue her graduate studies at the University of California, Davis. While at UC Davis she earned an M.A. in English and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, as well as taught courses in Comparative Literature and the Humanities. Mariarosa then returned to Italy where she taught Italian language, culture, and literature at the University of California Study Center in Padova and at Boston University International Programs in Padova, furthering her experience with American universities and study abroad programs. Her research focuses on European and American women writers from the late 18th to the early 20th century and on gender studies, and she has written on American writer and traveller Margaret Fuller and on Italian novelist Neera.