CEA CAPA Florence, Italy Directory

With CEA CAPA since 2008, Emily Schiavone is responsible for the management and development of the Florence Study Center and all study abroad programs that it hosts. Since 2014, Emily has provided leadership and direct oversight to the Student Services team, and works closely with the Academic Director on academic matters regarding the Florence Center and partner institutions. 
 
Emily hails from northeast Ohio, and holds a BA in Art History from Carleton College and an MA in Italian Renaissance Art from Syracuse University. Two study abroad experiences in Florence prompted Emily to remain after her third stint abroad, and she has called Florence her permanent home since 2004. Before joining CEA CAPA, Emily worked at an American university in Florence, where she helped to create an archive and database of digital images for teaching purposes and travelled to towns in central Italy to teach students art and architectural history on-site.  
 
Emily’s life would not be the same had she not come to Florence as a university student.  She hopes that students embark their own journey with an open mind, preparedness for unpredictable situations, and confidence; attributes that allow students to discover new things about the world and about themselves. 

Academic Director Monica Francioso joined the CEA CAPA Florence team in 2015, and is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of Florence academics including academic integrity, curriculum development, and faculty training and assessment. She serves as a leader for students and faculty, and her work ensures compliance with the standards established by our School of Record agreement with the University of New Haven. Monica holds regular on-campus office hours and is always happy to talk to students and faculty on academic matters, and to respond to all substantive inquiries and concerns. Monica obtained a BA in English and Russian from the Università degli Studi di Padova, an MA in English Studies, and a Ph.D. in Italian Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her thesis focuses on narrative theory in post-war Italy. She has published articles and books, both in Italian and English, on Celati, Calvino, Palandri, and migrant writers. Monica lived abroad in the United Kingdom and Ireland for 13 years. Prior to joining the CEA CAPA Florence team, Monica held several teaching positions in Italian language, literature and culture at various higher-ed institutions, including Royal Holloway University of London, University of Durham, University of Bath, and University College Dublin. She earned a CELTA certificate to teach English as a foreign and second language. She also taught English to students of all levels, preparing them for the Cambridge English exams. Monica also holds a DITALS II certificate to teach Italian as a foreign and second language, and she worked as a teacher trainer for the same program. Monica firmly believes in the importance of studying abroad as a means to broaden horizons and better oneself. Her experiences have shown her how enriching speaking/learning other languages and knowing other cultures can be. She believes she would be a different person today had she not experienced life abroad.

Chiara began her career as an archaeologist and researcher, delving into Roman sites across Cambridge and London. Transitioning into museum and fashion management, she discovered a passion for sustainability and the environment. Driven by her commitment to sustainability, Chiara has delved into the world of sustainable fashion, particularly vintage and upcycled clothing. Her journey has taken her from the halls of academia to the forefront of projects encompassing TED events, climate finance, and climate action. 

Passionate about education and adept at networking, at CEA CAPA Chiara channels her energy into expanding work experience opportunities, empowering students to strengthen their profiles and make meaningful contributions to society. 

Alongside her professional endeavors, Chiara finds solace in exploring museums and immersing herself in history. 

Hiba holds a PhD. in museum studies from Florence University in collaboration with University College of London in Qatar, and a BA in archaeology from the University of Aleppo. Her thesis argued the potential of engaging local communities in cultural activities and archaeological knowledge to protect cultural heritage in the time of war. 

Previously, Hiba was responsible for an audience development project in Musei del Bargello, Florence, and developed a training courses for various museum operators in Florence related to the perception of heritage and museums for non-European audiences. Before joining our academic team at CEA CAPA, she was the associate director of educational programs at the International Institute of Mesopotamian Area Studies where she worked mainly on designing and developing educational programs dedicated to promoting international dialogue through cultural heritage among the young generation. She also worked as a researcher for the European University Institute in Florence and her research interests include the social role of cultural heritage, diversity and education development. She has also written and published various articles.

As a global citizen, Hiba hopes to use her life experience, in addition to her academic and administrative experience, to enhance the academic life of CEA CAPA students in Florence.