ACCENT
Rome Team
Stephen Conger
Director
As Director of the Rome Center, Stephen, along with his team, is responsible for the overall management of the Center and coordination of the various Rome programs. Stephen had an early career as a performing artist, then went on to a successful career in architecture prior to working in study abroad. He holds degrees in Fine Arts, Environmental Design and Architecture. With his past experience in the arts, business and design, Stephen works with faculty and administrators developing and enriching programs to help ensure the maximum benefit for each study abroad experience. Having worked in a variety of countries, his international experience allows him to better utilize the cultural and academic resources that are so important to study abroad.
Jim Perry
Assistant Director
As Assistant Director, Jim aids the Center Director in the daily management of the Rome Center operations. He works closely with the Programs Coordinators to develop all the details of academic programs and provides support to both students and on-site faculty. Originally from Boston, Jim studied Business Administration at Boston University before moving to Spain where he worked as a Programs Coordinator for the ACCENT Madrid Center. Jim's passion for education abroad was born from a rewarding experience in an undergraduate immersion program at the Universidad de Burgos (Burgos, Spain), and he has also participated in educational programs in Bolivia, Argentina, Morocco and Italy. Jim is glad to share his enthusiasm for international education with ACCENT students.
Carolina Ferro
Programs Coordinator
Carolina Ferro is a Programs Coordinator specializing in academic coordination. She is responsible for coordinating classroom scheduling, as well as excursions, including overnight and day trips to some of Italy's most intriguing and beautiful towns and cities. In addition, she is in charge of coordinating academic site visits and city tours. Carolina is a native Spaniard from Madrid, but grew up in Miami where she obtained her Master's degree in Social Work in 1997. Her passion for assisting and counseling adolescents and young adults led her to her interest in helping university students and working with ACCENT. Carolina moved to Rome in 2003, after falling in love with the city, the language, the culture and its locals.
Nicole Arriaga
Programs Coordinator
Nicole Arriaga is a Programs Coordinator, specializing in housing. In this position Nicole helps students with all of their housing needs ranging from roommate placement to housing issues. For the UC Rome program Nicole also works closely with the Resident Advisor who lives with the students and organizes various social and cultural activities. As Programs Coordinator Nicole is involved with student needs in the front office and helps coordinate extra curricular activities with her colleagues as well. Nicole is currently completing her master's degree in International Relations and Political Science at St. Johns University in Rome. Studying abroad in Rome has been such an amazing experience for Nicole and has allowed her to share some of her greatest moments, sights, and restaurants with our students.
Frances Armstrong
Programs Coordinator
Frances Armstrong specializes in Program Planning and Student Life at ACCENT Rome. She is a native of the west of Ireland, where she completed her undergraduate and masters degrees in modern languages. During her studies she spent a year studying at the University of Verona, where she was fully immersed in an Italian university, with Italian and international students. She learned to speak Italian, eat Italian food, and experienced the highs and lows of living in the 'Bel Paese'. As well as Ireland and Italy, Frances has also lived and worked in France and New Zealand. She moved to Rome in the summer of 2005 and has been there ever since. She loves the city and the fact that one can discover something new about it every day.
Elisabetta Caponera
Assistant Programs Coordinator
Elisabetta Caponera, a native Italian, first worked with the ACCENT Rome Center as an intern through La Sapienza University and is now part of the staff. In 2009 she completed a Bachelor's degree in languages and she is currently completing her specialization degree in artistic and literary translation. She works with student life and oversees student housing in the Residence Trastevere, as well as organizes various cultural exchange events with Italian and American university students. Elisabetta is glad to share her Italian culture with students and colleagues.