Wolftracks: The Welcome Back Issue.

WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 1

CONTENTS
04
A NOTE FROM
AUR’S PRESIDENT
President Scott Sprenger looks back over the last twelve months,
and forward to the future.
08
HARVARD COMES TO AUR
In March, International Relations & Global Politics faculty
and students hosted Harvard Undergraduate Foreign
Policy Initiative for an international student summit “Not
a migration crisis, a migration reality.”
06
NEWS IN BRIEF
A selection of news clippings
from the last twelve months
covering visiting lectures, field
trips, project updates, and more.
06
TWO ALUM ENTREPRENEURS GOING GREEN
Kendra Schneider and Cortney Kern are carving their own
entrepreneurial paths - and making the world a greener place as
they do so.
10
AUR’S GIVING DAY SUCCESS
AUR’s first ever Giving Day was a runaway success,
achieving far beyond its target of 250 donors. Thank
you to everybody who took part, supported, and
donated!
11 12
FOUR NEW MINORS AT AUR
Italian Fashion, Psychology, Museum
Studies, and Photography minors
have been added to AUR”s extensive
academic catalog in 2024.
FACULTY ACTIVITY
AUR’s faculty have had an amazingly productive year, beyond their steadfast
commitment in the classroom. Research, articles, books, conferences, and
presentations have been on the agenda all year. Here’s a few, selected highlights.
2 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

14
16
18
20
21
ALUMNI LECTURE SERIES
Alums share their industry insights.
ALUMNI CAREER SUCCESS
A selection of alum career moves.
ARTS AT AUR
Literature, Film, Drama, and Fine Arts
AUR IS GROWING
Building on our heritage & reputation
HONORING AUR’S
DEDICATED SUPPORTERS
In October 2023, AUR proudly honored
Ms. Agatha Aurbach, Mr. Andrew
Palmieri, and Ms. Mia Pezzanite for their
steadfast support of the institution.
22 03 MIDDLE STATES UPDATES
An update on the Middle States
accreditation process.
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT, 2024
MARK GETTY
Mr. Getty, chairman of Getty Images, has been nominated in
recognition of his substantial contributions to the visual arts
and his commitment to cultural heritage.
Mark Getty, a true pioneer whose
leadership at Getty Images
revolutionized the accessibility
of art and historical imagery,
has demonstrated a lifelong
commitment to preserving and
democratizing art—a mission that
resonates deeply with the core
values of The American University
of Rome. His philanthropic
endeavors, including significant
contributions to the National
Gallery in London, reflect a deep
commitment to education, cultural
appreciation, and the preservation
and celebration of human creativity.
“Mark Getty’s vision has
profoundly influenced the
way the world accesses and
appreciates art, making him a
beacon of innovation and access
in the creative industries,” said
Scott Sprenger, President of The
American University of Rome. “His
work embodies the spirit of global
citizenship and cross-cultural
communication that is at the heart
of our university’s mission.”
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 3

A NOTE FROM
AUR’S PRESIDENT
I am delighted to introduce the
relaunch of Wolf Tracks, AUR’s
alumni magazine, now reimagined
and redesigned for a new era. As
the world navigated through the
challenges of COVID and beyond,
our alumni stories transitioned to
AUR’s social media channels, leaving
Wolf Tracks temporarily paused.
With this revitalized edition, we are
excited to bring you a selection of
the year’s most compelling stories,
all in one place, while broadening the
magazine’s scope to include news
from across our entire university
community.
The essence of Wolf Tracks remains
deeply rooted in its alumni origins.
And one of the greatest joys of my
presidency is the opportunity to meet
with AUR alumni worldwide, to hear
about their experiences at AUR, and
to learn how their education in Rome
has influenced their remarkable life
and career trajectories. Reconnecting
with our impressive alumni, some
after many years, continues to be
profoundly inspiring. They often
recall their days in Rome with
nostalgia and affection, describing
them as “life-changing,” “mindexpanding,”
and “nurturing.”
In this issue, you will discover
feature stories on a variety of topics,
including the expansion of our
student body and campus facilities,
the initiation of our artist-in-residence
program, our very first Giving Day,
our recent academic re-accreditation
by the Middle States Commission
on Higher Education, and exciting
developments in the Aventinus
Minor excavation project.
This edition of Wolf Tracks
also highlights AUR’s renewed
commitment to academic
excellence. You will find updates on
groundbreaking faculty research,
innovative teaching initiatives, new
additions to our signature academic
travel experiences, enhanced
academic programs, and the notable
Harvard-AUR Summit on Migration.
This issue also covers student-led
initiatives, including Remus: AUR’s
Literature & Arts magazine, art
exhibitions, film, and drama events.
While this inaugural edition of the
revamped Wolf Tracks is a significant
step forward, we acknowledge it
cannot encompass every noteworthy
story (this would require a much
heavier-weight publication!). Moving
ahead, our goal is to continuously
refine how we share our community’s
impactful narratives and achievements,
ensuring that each edition enriches
your connection to AUR.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
ALUM AND SUPPORTER
LAUREN JOLLIFFE
Over the last two years, Lauren Jolliffe (pictured here with
her husband Kurt Mikinski at the Catalina Film Festival) has
gone beyond the call of duty in helping AUR’s Advancement
team in raising awareness of the university and introducing
new supporters to the future potential of AUR.
Lauren is an author, producer, and Chief Creative Officer
for Creating content for Storyteller Lane Productions, a
multimedia entertainment company, who supplies profitable,
positive, audio and visual entertainment to a diverse,
international consumer groups.
4 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

TWO AUR ALUM ENTREPRENEURS
MAKING THE WORLD GREENER
KENDRA SCHNEIDER (IR’16), founder of Takeout Takeout,
whose slogan is “We take the trash out of takeout,”
has been named an “Activist of the Year” by Upstream, a
leading change agency for reuse. Their annual “Reusie”
awards were recently announced, and Kendra was one of
three entrepreneurs recognized in the Activist category.
Upstream designed the awards to champion “the heroes
making reuse a reality” for people across the US and
Canada by uplifting their stories and providing them with
meaningful support. It’s more than just an awards show;
it’s a platform to highlight solutions, an inspirational spark
to encourage innovation and collaboration, and a resource
to help the reuse movement grow.
Kendra decided that, as nobody else was doing it, she
would produce reusable food containers for local restaurants
and food suppliers. “Takeout Takeout is my attempt
to make sustainable living accessible to everyone. Not just
to those who have the time and energy or can afford to buy
green products. It’s meeting people where they are on their
journey. It’s also a way to support local small businesses.”
The Takeout Takeout system is simple. Customers
can choose to use Kendra’s reusable packaging when
ordering food. After use, the customer is asked to give
the packaging a rinse, and then, when their next delivery
is made, the old packaging is collected, returned, and
professionally sanitized - ready for its subsequent use.
Takeout Takeout even goes further, offering a pickup
service for the containers (if the customer is not a
regular takeout eater) and a drop-off service at a local
taproom. Kendra emphasized, “It’s about making it easy,
convenient, and accessible to EVERYONE. We’re here to
help them do one green thing - to take the trash out of
their takeout.”
CORTNEY KERN (AH’08) is the creator and owner of
a thriving gardening business in Fort Collins, Colorado
called “Mother Gardener.” She has established herself
as a personal “Garden Coach and Consultant,” though
she describes herself “more as a guardian than a
gardener,” nurturing the land and landscape and creating
sustainable gardens for her clients while teaching others
about green gardening. She’s also a social media star,
producing a range of engaging videos from how to start
a kitchen garden to how to (sustainably) get rid of garden
pests to how to get a stuck squirrel out of a drainpipe...
The business was fruit of a serendipitous combination of
Cortney’s life-long green thumb and love of gardening,
COVID-era neighbors who expressed garden-envy as they
admired what she was creating on her own land, and a
desire to create a job she could design around her children.
Cortney now has dozens of clients whose needs range
from monthly in-person garden coaching, on-site garden
assessments, garden DIY designs, and full installations of
raised or flowering garden beds. She’s even installed a
project with Denver Botanic Gardens.
Cortney cites AUR as a big contributor to her success as
an entrepreneur; “I learned how to communicate with all
different types of people, honed my art and design skills
and importantly learned how to market and manage
myself. Living in a different country, far from family
and friends, also taught me that I could do hard things,
scary things, and gave me confidence. My years at AUR
were some of the most magical times of my life. As a
student of art history at AUR I would also say the art
and historical management of sites has played into my
aesthetic of finding beauty in decay and letting nature
claim back space.”
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 5

NEWS IN BRIEF
A TRIBUTE TO
HAGE GEINGOB,
PRESIDENT OF
NAMIBIA
The AUR leadership
and community mourn
the passing of Dr.
Hage Geingob, the
President of Namibia,
who left an indelible
mark on the world
through his dedication
to democracy,
development, and
diplomacy.
Dr. Geingob’s
connection to The
American University
of Rome was a source
of pride for our
academic community.
As a recipient of an
honorary degree
from our institution,
he exemplified the
values we hold
dear: a commitment
to international
education, multicultural
understanding, and the
pursuit of excellence in
all endeavors.
JASON MANLEY’S ‘FOUNTAIN, 2024’ a life-size sculpture of a clawfoot bathtub made of paper, glue, and wood.
PROFESSOR VALERIE
HIGGINS PODCAST
FOR HISTORY HIT
‘LOOTED ARTEFACTS:
THE BLACK MARKET OF
ARCHAEOLOGY’
In April, 2024, Professor Valerie
Higgins recorded a podcast on
the trafficking of antiquities for
the popular broadcaster History
Hit (the world’s leading history
podcast).
The podcast, available on Spotify
(just search History Hit) looks
at the reasons why the illegal
trade in art and antiquities,
while universally condemned,
continues to flourish, even in
the institutions that should be
guardians of cultural heritage.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE JASON
MANLEY SHARES VISION AND
HIS LATEST WORKS WITH AUR
STUDENTS
In March 2024, AUR’s artist-in-residence Jason Manley
conducted a masterclass and individual mentoring
sessions for AUR students. He also exclusively
presented a new series of work titled Nomadic Journal
at the AUR campus.
Jason’s creative works combine poetry, architecture,
furniture, and digital design elements to produce
sculptures formed by text or experimental writing.
Nomadic Journal is a culmination of work created
while attending artist residencies in Portugal where
traveling, or transport, is conceptually tied to the
making. The sculptures are collapsible monuments
designed to compact into suitcases, addressing ideas
of impermanence, leisure, and roaming.
REALPROJECTS STUDENTS
WORK WITH ‘VISIT TUSCANY’
For the last two semesters, AUR students have been
working with Fondazione Sistema Toscana (FST ) on the
‘Visit Tuscany’ portal to develop communication strategies
and messaging for the American youth market.
RealProjects - Real Challenges - Real Experience.
6 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

AMP CELEBRATES
SECOND DIG
SEASON
YOUNG JOURNALISTS
AT THE WORLD FOOD
FORUM IN ROME
The Aventinus Minor
Project (AMP) celebrated
the end of its 2023
excavation season
with an Open Day for
friends, colleagues,
and the general public.
Presentations were
made by the project’s
professional leadership
and by the student
excavators to a large,
engaged audience.
AUR students recently visited
the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) headquarters in
Rome at the invitation of World
Food Forum’s communication
team. These lucky students
were being trained to experience
the real world of journalism as
they take on the role of ‘Young
Journalists,’ reporting directly
from the WFF flagship event for 2023 comprising the WFF Global
Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, and the FAO
Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.
GRAD STUDENTS
FORAGING AT LAKE
GIULIANELLO
New and returning graduate students
enjoyed an outing to Lake Giulianello
at the start of the fall semster, a nature
reserve just over one hour away
from Rome in the Castelli Romani
countryside.
Iseno, a local guide, and expert on
edible plants and herbs, led the
students on a fascinating walk to
the lake, with stops along the way to
identify edible plants and herbs and
to share traditional recipes using what
can be foraged.
Iseno explained the fascinating cultural
traditions of the ‘cicoriare’ (chicory
foragers) in the region, dating back to
post-WWII, and how the community
cultural association of Giulianello
was first formed to buy the land from
the government in order to keep the
nature reserve from being developed
commercially.
AUR’S HELLENIC EXPERIENCE
Professor Pier Matteo Barone led an archaeological field trip to Athens,
Greece, a city that stands at the center of the development of Western
civilization and the place where many of our Classical intellectual and
artistic ideas originate.
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 7

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUMMIT
NOT A MIGRATION CRISIS,
A MIGRATION REALITY
In March of 2024, The American University of Rome hosted students from Harvard
University, LUISS, and Roma Tre University for an international student summit: “Not a
Migration Crisis. A Migration Reality.”
The American University of Rome (AUR), in collaboration
with the Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative
(HUFPI), was proud to host the landmark summit “Not a
Migration Crisis, A Migration Reality”, that took place in
Rome between March 12th to 14th, 2024.
This event marked a significant collaboration, bringing
together students across different countries and cultures
to discuss and debate migration, aiming to reshape the
narrative surrounding it.
The summit emerged against the backdrop of increasing
global mobility and the complex challenges and
opportunities it brings. With over 108.4 million individuals
displaced by extreme weather, conflict, and persecution
and predictions of up to 1.2 billion people potentially
displaced by 2050, the imperative for a comprehensive,
informed dialogue has never been greater. This event
sought to address the multifaceted aspects of migration,
from historical trends and cultural contexts to legal
frameworks and policy implications.
8 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

Professor Irene Caratelli, Director of AUR’s International
Relations and Global Politics department, and the
AUR International Relations and Global Politics Club
(IRGP Club) spearheaded this joint initiative with
HUFPI, focusing on the urgent need for an informed,
empathetic conversation on migration. The summit’s
mission was to dismantle misconceptions, explore
migration’s complexities beyond media narratives, and
contribute constructively to public discourse.
FEEDBACK FROM THE SUMMIT
Professor Caratelli stated, “This generation of students
is both engaged and inspiring, I believe in their power to
work collectively for solutions based on human security
and fundamental human rights. This is the only way to
increase the welfare of the greatest number of people,
regardless of their nationality.”
This international student
forum was more than just a
summit; it was a call to action
for a deeper, more empathetic
understanding of migration to
define long-term sustainable
migration policies based on
human rights.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the
invaluable opportunity you provided me, as an
Ecuadorian student of International Relations, to
attend the conference “Not a Migration Crisis, a
Migration Reality.”
As a South American and someone who has
been an immigrant since the age of four, these
spaces hold profound significance for me. They
offer insights, perspectives, and discussions that
resonate deeply with my personal experiences
and aspirations within the field of international
relations.
Guillermo - LUISS University
The summit unfolded over three days and featured a
roster of distinguished speakers, including journalists,
academics, experts, and policymakers. Highlights
included a keynote speech by AUR alumnus Bashir
Abd Ella Elyas on his personal migration experience
and a series of visits to organizations in Rome that
are working directly on issues around migration,
including Amnesty International (Italy), the European
Commission Representation in Italy, the International
Organization for Migration, Istituto Affari Internazionali,
and Comunità di Sant’Egidio.
This collaborative effort between AUR, the IRGP Club,
and HUFPI signified a commitment to fostering global
dialogue on a pressing issue. It underscored the role
of academic institutions in leading change while
supporting students in developing the leadership skills
necessary to set the agenda for the most pressing
challenges ahead.
The International Summit was an amazing experience.
For the first time, I had the opportunity to
understand aspects of the migration phenomenon
that I had not peviously considered - to hear
the testimonials of professionals working in the
field, in addition to working with students from
other universities and other countries (and the
discourse between us) was very stimulating.
Angela - Harvard University
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 9

ADVANCEMENT
GIVING DAY
SUCCESS
AUR’s first-ever Giving Day was a remarkable success!
Originally aiming for 250 individual contributions, we surpassed expectations with over
300, raising more than 9000 euro to be dedicated to various student-related initiatives,
including the purchase of a new Wolfie mascot.
The goal of this initiative was to
inaugurate a Giving Day tradition
at AUR, but also to celebrate the
extraordinary spirit of generosity
already demonstrated by
our faculty and staff through
their exceptional mentorship,
dedication and care for students.
The emphasis was thus less
about dollars-donated than on
the act of giving to symbolize
one’s support to AUR students.
In parallel to the campus
events, Sr. Director of
Advancement, Anne Marie
Judge, launched a “NYC Alumni
Chapter” event that welcomed
25 NYC-based alumns to
an aperitivo. Anne Marie
reports that it was a joyous
occasion filled with laughter,
camaraderie, and a renewed
sense of commitment to
support AUR. .
10 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

ACADEMICS
NEW MINORS AT AUR
ITALIAN FASHION
This program equips students
with in-depth knowledge of
Italian fashion history, design
principles, and industry trends
alongside a unique blend of
art, culture, and business skills.
The minor enhances creativity,
critical thinking, cultural
appreciation, and cross-cultural
communication skills providing
a solid foundation for career
paths within the 2.5 trilliondollar
global fashion industry.
PSYCHOLOGY
Graduates with a minor in Psychology consistently
demonstrate empathy, appreciation of diverse
perspectives, and the application of psychological
principles in real-world settings, while employers
have highlighted their desire for Psychology
graduates due to their capacity to analyze human
behavior, make informed decisions, and contribute
to a positive work environment.
PHOTOGRAPHY
AUR students tend to see the world through a different lens -
metaphorically; now, they can also do so literally. AUR’s new
minor in photography has been designed to nurture students’
creative and technical skills while providing a versatile set of
competencies highly valued across industries.
MUSEUM STUDIES
A minor in Museum Studies can significantly
enrich a student’s academic journey and
professional opportunities, particularly for those
interested in culture, history, art, and education.
Museum Studies is an inherently interdisciplinary
field combining art, history, anthropology,
conservation, and education. This interdisciplinary
nature broadens students’ perspectives and
allows them to apply knowledge from various
fields.
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 11

FACULTY ACTIVITY
AUR’s faculty have been busier than ever over the last few months; if we were to list all
of the individual achievements, we would have to print another magazine. Here are just a
few examples to demonstrate and celebrate those achievements.
ANNA BALZARRO IRENE CARATELLI CRISPIN CORRADO
Professor Anna Balzarro published
the novel Il Cammino dell’Alta Via,
dei Merangoli editrice, 2023, which
won the Premio speciale Golfo dei
Poeti - Premio Lord Byron Porto
Venere Golfo dei poeti 2023.
Anna’s short story La fotografa won
one of the special prizes Premio
Speciale Portus Veneris-Tematica in
the same competition and her short
story Prendere parola won the third
prize ex-aequo at the competition
Inchiostro donna - 11 edizione.
Professor Irene Caratelli participated
in an EU Policy Retreat on Europe´s
Race to Green Growth at Peace
Castle Schlaining in Austria (June
15-17). She presented on The Trade,
Climate and Competition Trilemma:
Three Steps for the EU.
PAUL GWYNNE
Professor Cris Corrado published the
article Aedicula Tombs and Statues in
Rome: Reconsidering the Monument
of Eurysaces in the American Journal
of Archaeology, with Alberto Prieto,
and Max L. Goldman.
Professor Paul Gwynne was invited to speak at the one-day International
Conference L’Africa de Pétrarque en contextes hosted by the École Normale
Supérieure de Lyon in conjunction with Université Grenoble Alpes. His
paper was entitled: Petrarch’s Africa: Contemporaries and Rivals and
placed Petrarch’s achievement in context by comparing the Africa with
other contemporary hexameter compositions such as Henry of Avranches’
fourteen-book epic on the life of Saint Francis and the poem which purports
to be the epic no classical writer dared undertake, the Alexandreis by Walter
of Châtillon (c. 1135 - c. 1189).
LUCA RATTI
Professor Luca Ratti has three recent
publications: an article in the Canadian
Journal of European and Russian
Studies (16(2), special issue on the
war in Ukraine), NATO and the CSDP
after the Ukraine War: the end of European
strategic autonomy?, Realism
& NATO in NATO Research Handbook
(S. Mayer, ed., Cheltenham and
Northampton: Edward Elgar, 2023);
and Il perimetro esterno dell’Alleanza:
l’articolo 6 del Patto Atlantico dalla
Guerra Fredda al Ventunesimo secolo,
La NATO verso il 2030, (G. Natalizia,
ed., Bologna: il Mulino 2023).
JENNY PETRUCCI
Professor Jenny Petrucci presented
a paper at the European First Year
Experience Conference at Abertay
University in Dundee, Scotland (27-
29 June 2023) entitled The First Year
Experience of Ethnic Minority Female
Students and initiatives to support
them with their transition to college.
CAROLINA TRELLA
Professor Carolina Trella has
co-authored a chapter entitled
Psychological Motives of QAnon
Followers, with R. Green, M.
Biddlestone, K. Douglas, and R.
Sutton in The Social Science of
QAnon: A New Social and Political
Phenomenon (ed. M. Miller,
Cambridge University Press, 2023,
pp. 33-48).
12 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

ANDREA DESSI LEONARDO DE CHIRICO STEFANO PRESUTTI
Professor Andrea Dessì spoke on
Swiss Radio (RSI) and SkyTG24
in October on the current conflict
in Gaza. He also participated as
1st Discussant on a panel on EU-
Mediterranean Relations at the
Annual Euromesco Conference at the
Spanish Foreign Ministry in Madrid.
Professor Leonardo De Chirico
recently published two articles
on historical theology: Robert
Bellarmine and His Controversies
with the Reformers. A Window on
Post-Tridentine Roman Catholic
Apologetics (European Journal of
Theology 31.1 (2022) pp. 21-42) and
The Clay of Paganism with the Iron
of Christianity: Cornelius van Til’s
Critique of Roman Catholicism (in
J. Eglinton – G. Harinck (edd.), Neo-
Calvinism and Roman Catholicism
(Leiden: Brill, 2023) pp. 249-261).
Professor Stefano Presutti’s article
The Spanish tilde as a visual
semiotic marker of Pan-Hispanism
has been published by the journal
Social Semiotics .
The article concerns brand logo
development, language and
authenticity commodification,
graphic ideologies, and social
semiotics, especially amongst
Spanish-speaking communities.
LISA COLLETTA
Professor Lisa Colletta has a chapter
entitled Philadelphia Society and the
Grand Tour in the book The Italian
Legacy in Philadelphia: History,
Culture, People, and Ideas (Temple
University Press). The book has just
been translated and published in
Italian by Treccani. The volume was
edited by AUR honorary doctorate
Andrea Canepari and also features
a chapter by former Trustee Joseph
Del Raso.
VAL HIGGINS
Professor Valerie Higgins gave the
keynote speech Heritage tourism
– protecting the future to delegates
from 43 countries at the annual
meeting of the World Federation of
Tour Guide Associations in Siracusa.
MARCO CONTI
Professor Marco Conti’s latest book,
Nithard: Histories (Peeters, 2022),
was very positively reviewed in the
latest issue of Fancia-Recensio of the
Deutsches Historisches Institut in Paris.
LUCIANA D’ARCANGELI
Professor Luciana D’Arcangeli
launched the book Staging Violence
Against Women and Girls: Plays and
Interviews (Bloomsbury) at the Casa
Internazionale delle Donne in Rome.
TIMOTHY ALLEN
Professor Timothy Allen headed up
a group show in a small gallery in
Trastevere near Piazza Trilussa. The
show featured new work from Allen
along with the work of other artists.
DARIA BORGHESE
Professor Daria Borghese conceptualized,
produced, and curated
the exhibition d’Oro e Turchese: Le
Ceramiche Borghese di Pratica di
Mare” (Made of Gold and Turquoise:
The Borghese Ceramics of Pratica di
Mare) at Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi
per le arti decorative, il costume e
la moda dei secoli XIX e XX.
CATHY RAMSEY-PORTOLANO
Professor Cathy Ramsey-Portolano
gave two invited presentations of her
latest publication, Female Cultural
Production in Modern Italy: Literature,
Art and Intellectual History (Palgrave
MacMillan 2023), one at Genova
Palazzo Ducale and the other at
Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan.
RICCARDO QUARANTA
Riccardo Quaranta authored a paper,
On the use of free code tools to
simulate the propagation of radiation
following dirty bomb explosions in
sensible contexts, with G. M. Ludovici,
G. Manenti, P. Gaudio, and A. Malizia.
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 13

THE ALUMNI LECTURE SERIES
AUR is fortunate to have a dedicated and engaged alumni community. One of the great
benefits of this is the willingness of our alums to share their career stories and insights
with current students theough our Alumni Lecture Series.
SIMONE
AMORICO (‘04)
BRONWYN
SWEENEY (‘07)
GIAMMARCO
CACCESE (‘20)
Simone is the CEO of Access Italy,
a top luxury tourism company in
Italy with clientele including Oprah
and the Obamas. Simone shared
his expertise and experience in the
Luxury Travel industry.
Bronwyn graduated from AUR in
2007 with a degree in Business
Administration and a minor in
Writing. One advertising class
and a fateful guest lecture later,
Bronwyn knew that advertising
was the path for her. She
Giammarco Caccese D’Andrea
graduated summa cum laude from
The American University in Rome
in 2020 with a major in Business
Administration and a minor in Film
and Digital Media.
Following a Master’s Program
From the seasoned traveler to
the elemental first-time visitor,
Access Italy’s first-hand, extensive
knowledge of the region offers a
curated approach to discovering Italy
through a luxe yet authentic lens.
Born and raised in Italy and
American-educated, Angelo
Amorico and sons Simone and
Marco have built a network of
trusted relationships across the
country, ensuring each tailor-made
itinerary is truly memorable.
immediately enrolled in a portfolio
school to hone her craft and
develop skills for her dream career.
Sixteen years later, she is Group
Creative Director at MullenLowe,
London where she spends her
days making everything from TV
ads to radio spots to YouTube ads
you’ll try to click out of. Her clients
range from hair care to homeware
to biscuits and more. Bronwyn is
still in shock she gets paid to do
what she does.
in Audio Visual Management
at 24Ore Business School, he
is now employed at Universal
Pictures International (Italy), as
Trade Marketing & Servicing
Specialist, co-managing in-cinema
promotional campaigns and
localization processes.
Giammarco explored the Italian
marketing strategy that Universal
Pictures implemented to launch
Oppenheimer in movie theaters to
Italian audiences..
14 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

NOZHEEN
MURAD (‘20)
MADELAINE KUNS (‘08)
& DANIELA ALBA (‘23)
KATJA
MUÑOZ (‘05)
Nozheen Murad (‘20) is now
employed at the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) on the UN
Food Systems Coordination Hub
staff. Discussing FAO’s mandate,
Nozheen described her work
Madelaine Kuns (’08) is
International Director of
Communications and Fundraising,
and Daniela Alba (MA’23), is
Fundraising Coordinator at the
Jesuit Refugee Service
“I left Germany seeking a new
academic adventure and enrolled
in AUR. Initially drawn to majoring
in communication, a spontaneous
decision led me to opt for
international relations, and I haven’t
looked back.”
with the Office of Sustainable
Development Goals and how it
contributes to driving a dynamic
transformation of food systems.
Through innovative strategies
and initiatives, FAO is reshaping
agriculture to align with
sustainability principles, striving
to achieve crucial Sustainable
Development Goals such as
ending hunger and ensuring global
food security.
The Jesuit Refugee Service is a
faith-based organization operating
worldwide to serve, accompany,
and advocate for and with
refugees and forcibly displaced
populations. This conversation will
touch upon the approach, mission,
and vision of JRS, how it sees the
reality of forced displacement
in the current geopolitical global
climate, and its role in the
humanitarian field.
Now a research fellow at the
DGAP Center for Geopolitics,
Geoeconomics, and Technology,
Dr. Katja Muñoz explored the
intricate interplay between social
media and politics and the impact
of AI in her field asking “What does
Generative-AI’s increased quantity,
quality, and personalization mean
for tackling FIMI and, importantly,
what are the use cases of AI for
tackling FIMI?”
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 15

ALUMNI CAREER NEWS
AUR alums continue to progresss in the chosen fields - here are a few of the latest
updates from our talented and diverse former students.
1) ARIANNA GESUALDI (IR’17) has
joined ITA Airways as an Event &
Field Marketing Specialist.
2) SEAN MULLICAN (S.A.’14
LONGWOOD U) got promoted to
Senior Procurement Lead at Sabra
Dipping Company. He stated, “Here’s
to making more of America’s favorite
hummus.”
3) TATENDA CHITIMA (FDM’22) has
started a new position as Graphic
Design Consultant at The African
Capacity Building Foundation.
4) MICHAEL FERKOL (AC’21)
has taken on an additional role:
he is serving as Treasurer for the
campaign of his boss, Thomas Cahill,
who is running for New York City
Mayor 2025!
CONNECT WITH
OVER 1000 FELLOW
ALUMS ON AUR’S
DEDICATED
LINKEDIN GROUP
HTTPS://TINYURL.
COM/3ERKJY5X
OR SEARCH IN GROUPS FOR
THE “AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
OF ROME ALUMNI”
MAX GOODWIN (FDM’20), now
an armorer in the movie business,
spent a few days on the set of the
latest action movie of a certain very
recognizable actor.
1) HALIMA HASSAN (IR’17)
has joined the Somali Disaster
Management Agency (SoDMA) as
Gender and DRR Specialist.
2) JESSICA SICILIANO (S.A.’21 U
MIAMI) has accepted an internship
with Tapestry this summer as a
Global Trade Compliance officer at
company headquarters in Hudson
Yards, NYC.
3) WILLIAM R. MATTHEWS IV has
started a new position as Chief
Marketing Officer at National
Renewable Energy Partners.
4) LAILA KHRAIS has accepted
a job as Graphic designer & video
producer at FAO.
GIORGIO GAGLIARDO (COM’20),
has launched a dual career as model
and marketer, was featured in a huge
building-wrap billboard in Milan, with
the latest offering from Alfa Romeo.
DAPHNE SINCLAIRE MYHRVOLD
(MA CULTURAL HERITAGE ’23) has
been working in one of the most
iconic cultural heritage sites in the
world as an archeologist at a dig
right next to the Great Pyramids on
the Giza Plateau with Ancient Egypt
Research Associates (AERA). She
started volunteering with the dig in
2022 while she was studying in AUR’s
Cultural Heritage master’s program.
She was hired on for the dig last
spring, and is doing field excavation,
archive organization, and writing.
“We dig the Lost City of the Pyramids
settlement, and this season we dug the
Menkaure Valley Temple, at the base
of the third pyramid. I am hoping I’ll be
back in the fall for the next season.”
16 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

ANDERS LADEGAARD (BUS’10);
after more than ten years in
Human Resource Management,
has launched his own consultancy,
People Vibe (www.peoplevibe.dk).
Anders said, “With People Vibe,
I want to use a “no-nonsense”
approach based on real-world
experiences. My ambition is to be
proper, to be ambitious, to be honest,
and thereby become a long-term
trusted advisor in organizational
development and HR related topics.”
JORDAN CASS (BUS’16) has joined
London-based firm Vistack.io as a
G.T.M. Consultant and will be working
remotely from his home in Barcelona.
Jordan told us, “I have always
dreamed about living in Barcelona,
and after being there for a year, a
friend I used to work with in London
reached out as he had just started an
exciting new company called Vistack.
io - so I decided to join him in this
exciting new adventure.”
JEFFREY AVEDISIAN (BUS’20)
has joined the world of academia,
and will be teaching at two Italian
universities; the University of Naples
‘Parthenope,’ where he will be
teaching Microeconomics in English,
and Università degli Studi di Tuscia
where he has taken on the role of
Research Fellow.
TANA SCHWARZ (MA FOOD
STUDIES ’23) has taken on a
number of projects since graduation,
including running the social media
accounts for Slow Wine USA, which
is the wine chapter of Slow Food,
and co-founding a tour company
called Italy Wine Tours.
Tana’s company offers tours of
natural wineries and craft breweries,
a niche market that is an important
part of Italy’s sustainable food
systems.
BRONWYN SWEENEY (BUS ‘07)
and teamate win Campaign
Magazine’s “Creative Team of the
Year” Award.
Congratulations to Bronwyn and
creative partner Loren Cook,
on winning this phenonmenal
recognition for their work as Group
Creative Directors of London ad
agency MullenLowe UK.
Bronwyn has been paying it forward
for years, returning to AUR a dozen
times to stimulate students with her
“Day in the Life of an Advertising
Creative” presentations. During this
year’s visit, she showed students the
campaign that eventually led to her
winning the award.
Bronwyn shared, “My work wife
Loren and I have peaked. So proud
of the work we get to do at every
day MullenLowe UK. So honoured
to be recognised by Campaign UK,
a publication I have followed and
devoured for years.”
Here is an excerpt from Campaign’s
article: “Affectionately known as
BroLo, Bronwyn Sweeney and Loren
Cook joined MullenLowe eight years
ago, ‘consciously coupling’ as a
team in 2016 and were promoted to
creative directors in 2021. They have
worked with the likes of TRESemmé,
Knorr and Persil [Dixan/Wipp/Wisk],
as well as leading Dunelm into the
digital age with an effective throughthe-line
campaign.”
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 17

ARTS AT AUR
REMUS - THE LITERARY & ARTS MAGAZINE OF AUR.
In the latest edition of Remus (Spring ‘24, Volume XV), in
addition to Roman reflections, many of our writers shared
sensitive, family-centered stories, tackling the theme of
religion, and grappling with the past through a variety of
genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenplay.
Several of this year’s pieces were written by graduating
seniors, each of whom demonstrated growth in their
craft since their first features in REMUS. They transported
us to Rome’s bustling Sunday street market, where
a clash of cultures and generations faced a hectic
environment, and to the back of a taxi, where a former
couple explored their complicated dynamic against the
backdrop of a wedding.
Our fine arts and digital media contributors brought a
diverse range of mediums to this year’s edition, including
painting, illustration, printmaking, expressive black-andwhite
photography, and graphic design. This collection
showcased everything from a lost city cat to urban
landscapes, along with an abstract series of linocut prints
and a variety of Rome-inspired works that emphasized
the essence of this year’s prose and poetry.
While each work of art is different in technique and
theme, they each reflected the immense creative talent
present at The American University of Rome.
DAC - AUR DRAMATIC ARTS CLUB
The Dramatic Arts Club at AUR is one of the most popular
clubs on campus and, from the sell-out success of last
May’s Fragments of A Fleeting Life, through fall’s open
auditions and improv. nights, to their fourth annual public
performance in April ‘24 at Teatro Testaccio, ‘Nothing
Matters,’ the club continues to demonstrate the range of
students’ dramatic talents.
AUR FILM FESTIVAL CLUB
An intergral part of AUR’s Film
program and another hugely
popular club on campus,
the AUR Film Festival Club
holds events throughout the
year from cult & popular film
screenings to showcases of
student film productions. They
also hold an ever-popular
end-of-semester Gala evening,
compete with red carpet and
paparazzi!
18 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

OFF-CAMPUS ART CLASSES
Professor Timothy Allen’s off-campus
painting class, Spring ‘24
FINE ARTS
The Fine Arts program at AUR consistently and
continuously produces student artists and artworks of
outstanding quality and depth.
SATURNALIA
AUR’s Archaeology & Classics and Arts Departments
celebrate Saturnalia with an end-of-year art exhibition.
PAINTING
When your model is absent, you learn to
paint solely from memory using
conceptual ideas of form and skin tone.
STUDENT EXHIBITIONS
Student work in display in AUR’s
dedicated studios on Via Mesina
EYES-ON, HANDS-ON ART
A visit to Peter Flaccus’s Art Studio for
the Art Gallery Management class with
Professor Tanja Lelgemann
ROME IS OUR CLASSROOM,
STUDIO, AND INSPIRATION.
From the monuments of the ancient
city, through the rich tradition of the
Renaissance and Baroque to the
vibrant contemporary art scene, Fine
Arts students are uniquely placed in
the Eternal City to learn and develop
their own vision.
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 19

AUR IS GROWING
Current AUR campus
Study Center (stage 1)
Full campus (stage 2)
CAMPUS EXPANSION
TO MATCH GROWTH
THE AUR CAMPUS
Positioned atop the Gianicolo Hill
overlooking Rome, AUR’s expanded campus
will provide the very best home for future
AUR students.
The American University of Rome is on a
robust growth trajectory, with momentum
leading to our goal of 900 - 1000 students
by 2028. This growth has brought new
challenges - most notably space.
In anticipation of our success, the
university’s strategic plan prioritizes
expansion within the Barnabite monastery
building and grounds. The plan also focuses
on designing a more student-centered
campus with refreshed classrooms,
improved furniture & technologies, and
centrally located student services, such as a
new Center of Career Strategy and Alumni
Connections.
Fortunately, the Barnabites are, for the first
time, ready to release the entire monastery
and grounds to the university - a decision
that will transform our two buildings into
a fully-fledged campus, including a new
library, additional and specialized teaching
spaces, more functional terrace spaces, a
soccer field, and a basketball court.
Negotiations, planning, and timetabling
are at advanced stages and the university
community are tremendously excited about
the potential these changes will provide
for academics and student life. Enrollment
forecasting for fall 2024 is very encouraging
(after welcoming our largest cohort ever
last year, we are aiming to break that record
again in September of 2024) . Watch this
space and the university’s online channels
for updates and progress.
20 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

SUPPORTING AUR
HONORING
AUR’S DEDICATED
SUPPORTERS
On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, The
American University of Rome (AUR)
proudly honored two former board
members, Ms. Agatha Aurbach and
Mr. Andrew Palmieri, with Presidential
Medals of Honor for their exemplary
service to the university. Mia Pezzanite
(‘08) was presented with a Distinguished
Alumni Award for her service
on the AUR Alumni Council.
The ceremony took place at the
Italian Embassy in Washington,
D.C. On introducing the awardees,
AUR’s president, Scott Sprenger,
remarked, “One of the great
pleasures of my presidency has
been the opportunity to meet
leaders from the past. Tonight, we
honor three such individuals, each
of whom has played an important
role in AUR’s evolution.”
Ms. Agatha Auerbach holds the
record as AUR’s longest-serving
trustee. Over the course of six
presidencies and twenty-five
years as a Board member, Ms.
Auerbach has been a cornerstone
in AUR’s transformation into
the internationally respected
institution it is today. Ms.
Auerbach has an encyclopedic
knowledge of the university’s
development, which contributed
significantly to the publication of
The Story So Far, a history of AUR
published on the occasion of the
university’s fiftieth anniversary.
Mr. Andrew Palmieri is also
recognized as one of AUR’s
longest-serving trustees, joining
the Board in 2001 and continuing
to play an active role as Trustee
Emeritus. Mr. Palmieri is a partner
at Saul Ewing in Washington
and a dedicated philanthropist.
His vast business expertise
and network have been pivotal
to AUR’s ongoing success,
especially during challenging
economic times and through the
global pandemic.
Ms. Mia Pezzanite, who
graduated in Italian Studies in
2008, served in the Student
Government (2007-2008), as the
Coordinator of the Italian Studies
Club (2005-08), and as the
student representative on AUR’s
Middle States accreditation
committee. Mia was selected for
this honor for her dedication to
AUR and for the impact she has
had in her extensive leadership
roles as a student and alumna.
On presenting Mia’s award,
President Sprenger stated, “Mia
captures the essence of what
AUR values in its alums, and
so it is a great honor for me to
officially express the university’s
sincere appreciation for her
service and accomplishments.”
The entire AUR community
congratulates the deserving
award winners.
YOUR SUPPORT TRANSFORMS
AUR STUDENTS’ LIVES
For more than 50 years, students
from around the globe have been
inspired by the founding vision of
The American University of Rome:
to provide a creative, academically
rigorous space to undertake a liberal
arts education within a global and
highly diverse community of openminded
acceptance. All of this in the
city that has stood at the center of
social, cultural, artistic, and political
development for over 2,500 years.
Giving to The American University of
Rome is focused on student impact.
While some gifts support scholarships
and student organizations, others go
toward enhancing our learning spaces,
technologies, and facilities.
All gifts go toward making the AUR
learning experience as enriching and
exciting as possible.
If you would like to help support the
future of AUR, find out how at
www.momentum.aur.edu
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 21

ACCREDITATION
MIDDLE STATES
ACCREDITATION REVIEW
In late March 2024, The American University of Rome welcomed an experienced
evaluation team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting
arm of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Their role was to inspect
the university and its self-study report in order to reaffirm AUR’s accreditation.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a process of peer review that the higher
education community has used for self-regulation since
the early 20th century. This voluntary process is intended
to strengthen and maintain the quality and integrity of
higher education, making it worthy of public confidence.
Institutions choose to apply for accredited status and,
once accredited, agree to abide by the standards of their
accrediting organization and to regulate themselves by
taking responsibility for their own improvement.
Why is it important to have accreditation?
Accreditation is a means of assuring the public that
an institution is providing quality education consistent
with its own mission and the principles established
by the accrediting body. It demonstrates to other
institutions, institutional leadership, faculty, and students
a commitment to excellence. Accreditation is also a
requirement for any institution seeking federal financial
aid for its students.
What are the criteria for Middle States accreditation?
The Middle States Commission has identified seven
key characteristics of excellence. These characteristics
address all aspects of an institution’s effectiveness,
including mission, infrastructure, faculty, student body,
resources, leadership, and educational offerings..
How does the reaccreditation review occur?
This comprehensive review process is based on a
self-study produced by the institution that addresses
the characteristics of excellence outlined by MSCHE.
Through the self-study, an institution evaluates how well
it is meeting both its own goals and the commission’s
standards. Another important part of the review process
is a visit by a team of external evaluators. The team
reviews the self-study and other background materials
and visits the institution to gather additional information
and perspectives from students, faculty, administrative
staff, and community members. The team then produces
a report for the Middle States Commission. After
reviewing all the documentation from the review process,
the commission makes a decision about accrediting the
institution.
What were the outcomes of the review for AUR?
While we must wait for the official report and notifcation
from Middle States, the evaluation team met with the
entire AUR community on the last scheduled day of the
review process and gave AUR the green light!
After their intensive documentary and in-person
review, the team (unoficially) concluded that AUR is in
compliance with all seven Commission standards.
President Sprenger was quick to extend his gratitude to
everyone who participated in the process, stating, “All in
all, it was a very useful and rewarding process. As you
might imagine, I am brimming with pride for the AUR
community, and I am absolutely thrilled that we flew so
high over the bar.”
The Middle States team was full of praise for AUR
faculty and staff, the institutional planning culture,
transparent delivery on mission, and AUR’s rigorous
assessment processes. They also provided five official
recommendations for improvements and some useful
‘collegial-advice,’ which were mainly around policy
clarifications, access, and implementations.
An absolutely amazing university. I loved my time here and would do it all again in an instant. The American University of Rome has
given me joy, knowledge, and confidence.
Laura de Sacco (International Relations & Global Politics, 2018)
22 | WOLFTRACKS 2024

AUR ALUMNI REUNION
SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2024
Wolves! Join us for an unforgettable
Alumni Reunion Weekend this September.
Reconnect with old friends, relive favorite memories, and
rediscover the campus that is still your home, no matter
how long since you left.
This year’s alumni reunion promises to be the best yet
with a range of activities (besides eating, drinking, and
making merry with old friends!), from nostalgic Trastevere
tours and Italian cooking classes to lively social events
and gourmet dining, all set against the backdrop of our
favorite place in the world... Rome!
Whether you’re looking to network, reminisce, catch-up
with the people who new you when you were still young
enough to run up the stairs in Building B... or simply
enjoy a weekend in the Eternal City, this event provides
a perfect opportunity to celebrate the lasting impact that
AUR made on your life and career.
DISCOUNTED EARLY-BIRD TICKETS
Purchase before 31 May, 2024.
Reunion Dinner Tickets start at $125 per
person (early bird) with a special discount
for alums who graduated between 2019
and 2024.
​
TICKETS SALES CLOSE
14 September, 2024.
For a full schedule of events and to book
tickets for any of the alumni weekend
activities, see
https://www.auralumni.com/2024reunion
Don’t miss out on this chance!
WOLFTRACKS 2024 | 23

24 | WOLFTRACKS 2024
https://aur.edu