ACCENT
PARIS TEAM
Melissa Smith-Simonet
Director
As the Paris Center Director, Melissa leads a multinational team of administrative staff and faculty, and is responsible for the management and administration of many different styles of programs including direct enrollment programs, island programs and hybrid programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Originally from New York, Melissa has worked with Ray Vernon since 1989. She has been the ACCENT Paris Center Director since 1998. Having studied with SUNY in Paris in 1986, Melissa returned to France in 1987 and made the City of Light her home.
Jim Benn
Senior Programs Coordinator
Jim works in the ACCENT Paris Center as the Senior Programs Coordinator. In this position, he aids the Paris Center Director with the daily management of the ACCENT Paris Center, as well as coordinates the housing for Paris Center students. Jim first studied abroad in Quebec during high school, beginning a life long passion for study abroad. Throughout his education, he returned overseas numerous times. The last time he studied abroad, in Paris, he came to stay.
Lorna Coing
Academics Coordinator
As Academics Coordinator, Lorna organizes the classes held at ACCENT Paris, and takes care of student enrollment at the Sorbonne and the Institut Catholique. Having had the opportunity to study in Paris as part of her degree program at Cambridge University, she couldn't wait to move permanently after graduation. She now considers the City of Light her home, and has got to know it as well as most locals. She also loves the French language, and is always delighted to give students the chance to practice theirs!
Mirek Siedliski
Cultural Activities Coordinator/Excursion Leader
Mirek Siedliski works in the ACCENT Paris Center as the Cultural Activities Coordinator. In this position, he oversees all aspects of visits and excursions in and outside of Paris. As a guide conférencier, he also guides Paris groups through places such as the Château de Versailles, various museums in Paris, the famous Palais Garnier, or in French towns such as St. Malo, Avignon, or Dijon. Mirek is very familiar with study abroad as he has studied in many cities including Warsaw, Lille, Paris, New York City, and Edinburgh.
Kate Holt
Student Affairs Coordinator
As Student Affairs Coordinator, Kate is an ACCENT Paris student’s first point of contact for information and advice. After completing her degree in French Studies at the British Institute in Paris (University of London), she decided to stay on for a while having become quite attached to France, and here she still is, many years later! Kate loves to play piano, to read and to swim and very much enjoys helping students find their way into doing whatever it is they love most during their stay in Paris.
Adrien Fropos
Programs Coordinator
Adrien works as Programs Coordinator at the front desk of ACCENT Paris. He works very closely with the Student Affairs Coordinator and the Cultural Activities Coordinator. He particularly enjoys sharing French culture with the students, as well as answering their questions and encouraging them to travel. He also works with ACCENT’s MBA students and special programs. He graduated in English and German from the Sorbonne, and recently fulfilled his dream of getting to know the States by taking a small bite from the Big Apple!
Béatrice de Montmarin
Homestay Coordinator
Béatrice has worked in the study abroad field for many years. As the Homestay Coordinator, she finds exceptional French host families to welcome ACCENT students. Being the social person that she is, she takes great pleasure finding and meeting new families and staying current with all of them, new and old. As a world traveler, she has been to the US many times and is always looking forward to her next trip.