On-Site Office & Staff
U.S. Team
Lillian Nguyen: Program Manager, Italy
Born and raised in Texas, Lillian attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned her B.A. in European Studies and Italian. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy and in Würzburg, Germany, which sparked her interest in international education. After visiting the Sassi in Matera and viewing the beautiful artwork in Galleria Borghese in Rome and in Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, Lillian hopes to help students have once in a lifetime experience studying abroad. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, roller-skating, and reading.
Email: lillian.nguyen@studiesabroad.com
Rome Team
Mattea Di Fabio, Resident Director
A lifelong resident of Rome, Mattea Di Fabio is the foundation of our ISA Rome staff. She has been with ISA since 2004 and is the ISA Rome Resident Director. Mattea graduated from the University of Rome (La Sapienza) with a bachelor's degree in Humanistic and Historical Studies. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, and her background includes extensive work with Italian high school students studying abroad in England, Ireland, Austria, France, and Malta. She also has experience in Italian primary and secondary schools, where she worked as a teaching consultant helping teachers develop a more critical awareness with their pedagogy and lesson planning.
Vera Contu, Assistant Resident Director/Housing Coordinator
Vera was born in Rome and has lived there her entire life. She graduated from La Sapienza University in Rome with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy. She has qualification certificates in Co-operative Management and Web Design from the Lazio Region in Italy. She is well-traveled throughout Europe, and both North and South America. Vera has worked at summer camps as an Activity Manager with Italian high school students during their time in England and Ireland. She also has experience working with Italian primary school students as a teaching consultant where she assisted teachers as they developed informational computer projects. She enjoys volunteering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Initiatives and has collaborated with them in Greece, Sardinia, and Tunisia.
Mara Cecili, Student Services
Mara Cecili was born in Rome, where she is currently living. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Modern Languages (English and Spanish) at the Rome University La Sapienza, where she is currently finishing the last year of her Master's degree. She has traveled throughout Europe (England, Ireland, Spain etc.) and has had the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of art and architecture – both of which are her passions since her years at art school. Mara looks forward to working with ISA Rome students to make sure their stay in her home city is unforgettable!