Our Team

Ray Vernon is Chairman and founder of Accent. Ray completed a degree in education at the University of Exeter before pursuing his own studies abroad at the Università di Perugia and the Université de Paris, Sorbonne. These experiences led him into the field of international education. After creating an association in the mid-seventies to assist U.S. college students abroad, he went on to form a European network of study abroad centers. These centers were consolidated and emerged as Accent. Ray is based in France.

As Executive Director, Stephen oversees strategy and development of the Accent Study Centers. He works with university leadership and administrators, alongside the Accent teams, to develop and enrich high-quality international opportunities. He holds degrees in fine arts, environmental design and an MA in architecture. His varied international experience allows him to identify and utilize unique cultural and academic resources that are so important to global learning. Stephen is based in Italy.

Allison is responsible for the management of the U.S. office and institutional partnerships with over 70 colleges and universities. Her first international experience was a gap year in the U.K. before attending Stanford University. As an undergraduate studying international relations, Allison spent two quarters in Tours and after graduation completed an internship in the Slovak Republic. Allison is the founding director of the U.S. office in San Francisco. She is based in California.

William oversees the development of new program models and strategic projects for Accent and its partners. He has worked in education abroad for over twenty years in diverse roles and contexts, helping to found several organizations including an education abroad provider, a school for Mediterranean studies in Sicily, and a student housing company. William graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in liberal arts and lived in Italy for many years. William splits his time between Texas and Italy.

Jim collaborates with Accent partners, Study Centers, and local faculty in each city to develop new programming and courses that are topical, experiential, and reflect the depth and breadth of Accent’s local networks. Prior to this role, Jim managed programs on-site with Accent in Madrid and Rome. He holds a degree in business administration from Boston University and is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Jim is based in Italy.

Alexa oversees partnerships with U.S. institutions and assists in the development of customized programs from initial idea to final contract. Originally from New York, Alexa earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Rochester, studying abroad twice in Rome. After graduating, she taught English in Turin before earning an MA in international education from New York University. At NYU, Alexa studied abroad in Germany, Ghana, and China. Alexa is based in California.

Francesco works closely with Accent’s partners and the Study Centers to design promotional strategies to better reach prospective students. Francesco worked for ten years coordinating programs in the Rome Study Center. He holds a BA in cultural and linguistic mediation from La Sapienza University of Rome and completed the Global Executive Master’s program in marketing and sales with Bocconi and ESADE universities. Francesco is based in Italy.

Managing the U.S. Office team, Megan oversees student enrollment, pre-departure preparation and program accounting, as well as company branding and IT. As an undergraduate at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Megan spent a semester in Paris studying French and art history. She later joined the Peace Corps, teaching English in Eritrea. Upon returning home to San Francisco, Megan completed a master’s degree in industrial and graphic design.

Alexa oversees partnerships with U.S. institutions and assists in the development of customized programs from initial idea to final contract. Originally from New York, Alexa earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Rochester, studying abroad twice in Rome. After graduating, she taught English in Turin before earning an MA in international education from New York University. At NYU, Alexa studied abroad in Germany, Ghana, and China. 

In her role, Tanyshia works closely with the Partnership Coordinator to develop programs and contract proposals. In a previous role as Programs Coordinator, she managed pre-departure communication and support for students and administrators. She earned a bachelor’s in business administration from San Francisco State University. During her degree, Tanyshia spent a year studying international business and French language in Paris. 

In addition to her role as director in Rome, Erin manages policies and projects related to program operations across Europe. With an undergraduate degree in foreign languages and literature, Erin began her career in education serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Georgia. She later completed a master’s degree in international training and education from American University. Working with both nonprofits and universities, Erin has extensive experience developing  international study programs in both the U.S. and Europe.

In addition to her director role in Madrid, Vanessa oversees the development and implementation of procedures across Accent. Originally from Valencia, she completed a BA in English at Universitat de Valéncia. She later moved to the U.S., where she completed an MA in English at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and PhD in Spanish at Texas Tech University with research focused on postfeminism in Latinx literature. Back in Spain, she completed an MBA at EAE Business School.

A native of Tuscany, Jennifer joined Accent after having worked for several years as an accountant. With professional training in bookkeeping and accounting, she manages Study Center payments, accounting, and statistical reporting. She works closely with each Study Center and the U.S. office to develop and revise program budgets.

Melissa is responsible for the management and administration of programs in Paris. Originally from New York, Melissa first visited Paris as an undergraduate at State University of New York. After completing her degree, she began working with Ray Vernon in Paris and has been with Accent from the very beginning. She is an active member of the Association for American University Programs in France (APUAF), she served on the organization’s board of directors for seven years.

Adrien supports the Paris Center Director with the daily management of the Study Center and the front office team, as well as the many and varied Paris programs. Adrien manages classrooms, liaises with local French universities for direct enroll and hybrid programs, and coordinates MBA seminars and other specialized programs. He graduated in English and German from the Sorbonne.

Mirek oversees all aspects of course visits and program excursions in and outside of Paris. As a licensed guide conférencier, he also guides Paris groups through places such as the Château de Versailles, various museums in Paris, the Palais Garnier, or in French towns such as St. Malo, Avignon, or Dijon. Mirek is very familiar with education abroad as he has studied in many cities including Warsaw, Lille, Paris, New York City, and Edinburgh.

Carole holds an administrative position for University of California academic programs and is also an instructor. She received her PhD in comparative literature in 2008 from UCLA. She has taught language and comparative literature courses at UCLA, CSU Long Beach, and Tulane University. She is a polyglot who speaks fluent French and Italian and spends her spare time on literary translations and working with seeing-eye dogs in training. 

Audrey coordinates student and faculty housing and supports students from the Paris front office. Audrey is well-versed in the operations and intricacies of the French higher education system, having coordinated university exchange programs with U.S. students in Paris for more than five years before joining Accent. Audrey studied English and translation studies at Sorbonne Nouvelle, spending nearly a year studying in Ireland. 

Michelangelo is responsible for the management of the Florence Study Center. Born in southern Italy, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Bologna’s Rimini campus, during which he completed a year studying in Sweden at the University of Uppsala. Further international experience includes an exchange at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, work in administration at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and internships in Florida and Dublin. 

Francesca is the main contact for U.S. partner institutions while planning for programs in Florence and oversees daily operations at Accent Florence. Born in southern Tuscany, she moved to Florence for her university studies, completing a BA in political science and MA in international relations and European studies. As a student, Francesca studied for one year in Brussels and later completed an internship in Plymouth (U.K.).  

Daniela coordinates student housing for all programs. In her role, she sources various types of long- and short-term housing in Florence, manages relationships with housing partners, and coordinates all aspects of student housing including placement, maintenance and pastoral care. A Florence native, she has over twenty years of experience working with students from all over the world. 

Mariarosa oversees academics for the University of California EAP and University of Minnesota programs. She coordinates faculty and advises students while serving as liaison with home institutions for program design and development. Her extensive experience in the field of international education includes a Fulbright scholarship, an MA in English and PhD in comparative literature from UC Davis, and teaching appointments at UCEAP and Boston University in Padua. For the University of Minnesota program, she teaches a course on Florence in literature.

Lilia coordinates internship and volunteer placements for Accent students with organizations across Florence. She is Mexican-American and grew up in California, first visiting Florence as an undergraduate at CSU Long Beach. After completing her degree in art, Lilia completed an MFA in exhibition design and museum studies at CSU Fullerton. She has a passion for cultural and artistic promotion and has worked in the nonprofit sector in addition to being a curator of contemporary art. 

Lisa coordinates many aspects of Florence programming, including study tours throughout Italy and extracurricular activities. She also manages social media accounts in Florence. Originally from Massachusetts, Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of New Hampshire, studying abroad in Ascoli Piceno. Lisa has a passion for writing and continues to publish her work with various online publications. 

Matt is responsible for the management of the London Study Center. Prior to joining Accent, Matt worked in administration of postgraduate programs at Royal College of Art, and held similar roles at Birkbeck, University of London and within the government Department for Culture, Media & Sport. Originally from south London, he has an undergraduate degree in business information technology from Coventry University and a master’s degree in London studies from Birkbeck.

In her part-time role, Sara works closely with the rest of the London Study Center team to ensure all programs run smoothly. Sara studied Art History and English at the University of Nottingham. She has worked in the international education field in London for over thirty years, at the Institute for European Studies and at the University of Delaware before joining Accent. Among other responsibilities, Sara is the in-house expert on local theater.

In her role, Umberta works with students and faculty on all aspects of London programs. She specializes in the coordination of faculty-directed programs with U.S. faculty. Umberta studied law at the University of Turin. Prior to joining Accent, she worked in legal administration in Italy, then moving to the U.K. to work for a Canadian education abroad program.

Vanessa is responsible for the management of the Madrid Study Center as well as managing European procedures. Originally from Valencia, she completed a BA in English at Universitat de Valéncia, spending a year at the University of Sheffield (U.K.). Later, she moved to the U.S. and completed an MA in English at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and PhD in Spanish at Texas Tech University with research focused on postfeminism in Latinx literature. Back in Spain, she completed an MBA at EAE Business School.

Raquel is the primary liaison with Spanish universities for direct enroll programs, manages internships and service learning experiences, and works closely with the Center Director to lead academic projects. Born in Galicia, she completed a degree in journalism at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, where she later worked in the international office for many years. She has experience in various media and journalism environments, has lived in France and Belgium, and speaks six languages.

Tania coordinates student services, front office management, housing, and cultural activities. She was born in Madrid and raised in Javea. Tania completed a bachelor’s degree in education at Universitat de València, spending her last semester at CSU Dominguez Hills. Later, she lived and worked in Denmark while completing a MSc Intercultural Education from UNED. She speaks Spanish, English, and Danish.

James’s responsibilities include front office management, housing, cultural activities, and student support services. Originally from Colorado, James moved to Madrid to complete an MA in teaching Spanish as a foreign language at Universidad de Alcalá de Henares. He studied for a year in Valencia while completing a BA in Spanish philology at Colorado State University and has participated in other educational programs in Peru and Panama. 

Amanda’s responsibilities include front office management, housing, cultural activities, and student support services. Born and raised on Long Island, she has a BA in community entrepreneurship from the University of Vermont and as an undergraduate, studied for a semester in Madrid, returning permanently after graduation and working as an English language instructor before starting with Accent.

Erin is responsible for the management of the Rome Study Center, as well as operations across Europe. With an undergraduate degree in foreign languages and literature, Erin began her career in education serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Georgia. She later completed a master’s degree in international training and education from American University. Working with both nonprofits and universities, Erin has extensive experience developing  international study programs in both the U.S. and Europe.

In his role, Marco works closely with the director on the everyday management of the Study Center and coordinates various semester and short-term programs in Rome. He has a degree in Asian languages from La Sapienza University in Rome, speaks five languages, and has held both instructional and administrative roles in international education in the U.K., North Korea, and South Korea. Marco has served as an Italian language instructor, both at Accent and other organizations. 

Nicole coordinates various aspects of programs and has been particularly involved in building a network of internship and volunteer placements in Rome, managing relationships with local companies and advising students throughout the intern experience. Originally from Miami, Nicole completed a degree in mass communication and broadcasting at Florida International University and worked in news media before moving to Rome. An avid writer, she contributes to various English-language publications in Italy. 

Elisabetta coordinates student housing for all programs. In her role, she sources various types of long- and short-term housing in Rome, manages relationships with housing partners, and coordinates all aspects of student housing including placement, maintenance and pastoral care. She studied at La Sapienza University of Rome where she completed a bachelor’s degree in languages and master’s degree in artistic and literary translation, later completing a postgraduate course in human resource management at University of Rome LUMSA.

Chiara coordinates a portfolio of Study Center and faculty-directed programs, and has various responsibilities related to facilities management and program accounting. She has a degree in literary, linguistic and translation studies related to modern languages with a special focus on Anglo-American culture and American Jewish literature. She spent eight months in London studying translation at the University of Westminster and completed a postgraduate course in communication and international relations in Rome. 

In her role, Alice oversees student activities and coordinates a portfolio of short-term programs, working closely with U.S. faculty program directors. She also manages social media accounts in Rome. A native of Rome, Alice graduated from La Sapienza University of Rome, participating in the Erasmus program for an academic year in Bath. She later completed a postgraduate course in communication and international relations in Rome.  

Stefano is a Programs Coordinator, managing short-term and quarter programs, and providing general and cultural support to all students in Rome. A translator and interpreter, Stefano graduated from UNINT Rome and pursued part of his studies in Paris. Before joining Accent, he worked in conference interpreting and later for an international organization in the field of visas and migration.