Rome Location

Our experienced and dedicated on-site staff is committed to doing everything they can to make your experience abroad as educational, comfortable and fun as it can be. 

Massimiliano Tomassini
Assistant Vice President, Europe Programs

Massimiliano is one of the longest tenured members of the St. John’s Global Studies team, having worked for the university in various capacities for over 18 years. Born in Rome, he’s also lived in Romania, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Australia before returning to his home city to join the St. John’s Rome location staff in 1997. In his current role of Assistant Vice President of Europe Programs, Max is responsible for overseeing operations of all St. John’s programs in Europe, including the Rome and Paris locations and other European locations.

In reflecting on what he enjoys most about working for St. John’s, Max focuses on the university’s Vincentian mission, which he keeps in mind daily as he carries out his duties. “My job gives me the opportunity to favorably impact students’ lives,” he explains. “Helping students move forward with their education, giving them the chance to experience new places and cultures, giving them an opportunity that they couldn’t otherwise afford, these are the ways that we can live out the Vincentian mission through Global Studies.”

Max especially enjoys welcoming newcomers to his hometown, a place that he says is epitomized in the warmth and friendliness of its people and the enjoyment of life. To first-time travelers, he recommends keeping an open mind and being ready to experience differences in culture at their best and their worst. “Avoid judging based on your own background,” he says. “Try to step away from your normal mindset. The best part about traveling is growing to understand how many different cultures there are out there, and just how different we all are!”

Elisa Bracalente
Director of Rome Programs

Elisa joined the Rome team in January 2016. A native of Rome, Elisa has over ten years of experience in higher education and international study abroad programs. She has studied, lived, and worked abroad for several years.

In her current role as Assistant Director, Elisa is responsible for overseeing all residence life, student services, academics, and logistics for the undergraduate study abroad programs in Rome. She works closely with the Rome team and Faculty to create an academically and culturally integrated study abroad program with special attention to activities that relate to course material, experiential learning, and encouraging student engagement within the local community.

Elisa graduated cum laude in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’. She spent a year in Ireland as an Erasmus undergraduate student, which she considers a life-changing experience that deepened her appreciation and understanding of other cultures as well as her passion for travelling. In 2008, Elisa moved to Australia, where she lived for four years, earning a PhD in English and Comparative Literature from Murdoch University, Western Australia, and worked with international students from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.

Prior to joining the St. John’s team, Elisa worked for CEA Study Abroad and Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy Program.

Elisa is aware of the positive impact study abroad has on students’ perceptions of the world. She is enthusiastic about being a part of this crucial moment in their lives and careers and being able to contribute to students' personal growth. Elisa believes that becoming familiar with different cultures broadens students’ understanding of their place in the world and opens up new opportunities for them in the future. She loves participating in events and spending time with students.

To students visiting Rome, Elisa recommends to “absorb Italy” as much as possible, to go beyond the tourist experience and discover the ‘real’ Italian culture, and to view their surroundings through the eyes of a local. Students are encouraged to explore Rome — “Wander around the city center and surely you will discover a beautiful piazza or a fountain you had never seen before!”

Coordinator of Student Life and Social Media Manager, St. John's Rome Location

COMING SOON!

Shelby Elkins
Coordinator of Academics & Program Development, St. John's Rome Location

Shelby serves as the Coordinator of Academics and Program Development at St. John’s University Rome location. In this role, Shelby is responsible for coordinating the short-term programs in Rome. He works closely with both the faculty and students to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to make the most of their time in Rome. He also manages several special projects such as faculty services, internships, student conduct, among other tasks. Shelby comes to St. John’s University with many years of experience, working in both the private and public sectors of education in the USA and Italy. He was born and raised in the State of Tennessee in the USA, and subsequently has lived in Chicago, Boston, and New Haven. Shelby received his Bachelor’s degree from The University of Memphis in Business Management, and his Master’s degree in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago. Shelby has plenty of experience working with international higher education, and also studied abroad in Cuba as an undergraduate student.

If asked what he enjoys the most about working in his current role, Shelby says, “Welcoming so many students, faculty, and staff that are generally here for short periods of time allows me to truly influence and create a positive impact on their time here in Rome. Rome is my home, so it is an important part of my personal life also that I can share with the St. John’s University community.”

Shelby enjoys the logistical, but also practitioner focused portions of his job. His research interests include residence hall councils, student development, international experiences, and more. He has participated in various research, grant-writing, and international community teams that have allowed him to continue his focus on program development as a student affairs practitioner.

If he had to choose his favorite things in Rome, he could easily create a list. “Sit under the columns of the Pantheon once the sun has set, go under the Trevi Fountain to see the water cisterns, and go to the top of the Altare della Patria to see all of Rome in one view. Don’t leave Rome without eating a decent portion of cacio e pepe pasta!”

Claudio Marinangeli
Executive Director of Operations and Information Technology, Europe

In his current role of Executive Director of Operations and Information Technology for St. John’s University European Programs, Claudio is in charge of, and oversees, many aspects of the European programs; including Information Technology (from systems design to data security to user support), Facilities (Design and Management), Safety, Security, HR processes and procedure, and in general Organization Process Design, Legal Compliance, and several others. 
A firm believer in the enabling role of technology - in life, and in Academics in particular - Claudio works to insure the European operations are lean, efficient, and effective.     

Claudio is an Adjunct Professor of Operations Management in several American programs in Italy. At St. John’s University, Claudio has been an Adjunct Professor of Operations Management and Business Information Technology for the Tobin Business School MBA program for over ten years. 

Claudio joined St. John’s University in January 1999, where he worked in various capacities; over the years, Claudio has also been in charge of Finance, Business Affairs, Financial Aid, Library Services, among others. This allowed Claudio to acquire a deep, extensive, and all-around understanding of the organization.

Since 2006, Claudio has traveled across Europe to help locate and evaluate sites to expand SJU European programs and played a seminal role in the future expansion of SJU in Europe. Claudio was then instrumental in the design and establishment of current Rome and Paris locations, as well as other SJU programs in Salamanca and Seville, Spain. 

Claudio earned degrees in Italy and in the United States, and he is very familiar with both the Italian and the American cultures, which he considers equally his own. 

In reflecting on what he enjoys most about working for St. John’s, Claudio underlines how rewarding it has been to actively contribute to the creation of a high-quality higher education environment, where the American and the European cultures merge. “We all are, indeed, citizens of the world; helping students interiorize such fundamental truth is deeply rewarding, on both a personal and a professional level. It has been a privilege, so far, to work at the establishment and the success of one of the most remarkable American programs in Europe, since its very inception, and in so many ways; and it is equally rewarding to operate, on a daily basis, to insure the program, and - most importantly - our students’ success.” 

Andrea Notarnicola
Coordinator of Operations and Information Technology, St. John's Rome Location

Andrea joined the St. John’s Rome staff in 2009. Before that, he lived in Bolivia for 6 years with his family and traveled around South America.  As Coordinator of Information Technology and Operations, Andrea handles the IT front office aspect of the Rome and Paris locations.

Andrea provides IT assistance on many tech aspects ranging from classroom equipment to computer maintenance and student IT needs. He also manages the campus ID card and security access system.

When assisting students with their IT problems, while chatting he will also give out advices on places to visit and food to try while in Rome or Italy in general.

Mauro Sciarra 
Coordinator of Facility Management, St. John’s Rome Location

Mauro joined St. John’s University Rome location staff in January 2015, as Coordinator of Building Maintenance. 

His first goal to is insure comfort and safety for students and all building occupants, by performing effective and efficient maintenance, both ordinary and preventive. Mauro supervises and coordinates external service providers and suppliers, and he also offers direct support to building occupants when needed. Mauro knows the building inside-out, and he is the go-to person if you need help with the facility.

Before joining St. John's, Mauro has worked in construction for several years and in several different capacities. An expert CAD designer, while working for companies based in L’Aquila, his hometown, Mauro contributed to the building of several facilities worldwide, such as the University Hospital Baloguat in Laghouat, Algiers, “Il Caravaggio International Airport” in Orio al Serio, buildings in USAF Base in Aviano, NATO bases, and several hospital facilities. 
 
When he has the chance, Mauro likes to suggest students to discover hidden places around Italy, such as the “Giardini di Ninfa” or “Narni Sotterranea”; or, to taste less known and yet typical Italian dishes.