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Karensa "Kari" DiFonzo Director Kari started working at Yale in August 2023. Being new to the Yale community, she cannot declare a particular favorite thing or place at the University just yet, but is really looking forward to her first Commencement and Class Day! Kari holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies from Wellesley College, and is currently working on a Masters in Higher Education Administration. Kari LOVES roller coasters, and is a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). She once rode a wooden roller coaster in Atlanta for 30 consecutive hours (except for a few hours overnight when she chose to sleep on the loading platform because it was raining). She enjoys taking her travel trailer on camping adventures and making memories with her husband and two kids. Lots of s'mores are always enjoyed! |
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Alexander "Alex" Muro Senior Associate Director Alex has worked at Yale since 2007 and has held the roles of Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, Director of Financial Aid at the School of the Environment, and Associate Director in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office. His favorite thing about Yale is its diverse student body. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Prescott College. Interestingly enough, education runs in Alex’s family. His wife Christina is a teacher, and he has two teenage daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys relaxing with them on the beach or in the mountains. |
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Nicole Neville Associate Director Nicole began her Yale career working as an office assistant within the Yale Health Center in the summer of 1990. She joined the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid in 1997. Her favorite thing about working at Yale is simply being on the college campus. The vibe of the community and students is rejuvinating. To quote Yale historian George W. Pierson, "Yale is at once a tradition, a company of scholars, a society of friends." One of Nicole's favorite activities at Yale is attending the football games, especially the Yale – Harvard Game. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Quinnipiac University. Outside of work she loves traveling, attending her son's sports games and spending time with family and friends. |
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Tracy Tolson Associate Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for International Citizens with last names Cj-Z Tracy began her career at Yale in 1990 working as a Personnel Assistant in the HR Employee Records and ID Center. She joined the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office as a Financial Aid Assistant in October 1996. Previously, she held the positions of Financial Aid Counselor and Assistant Director in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office. She has also worked in the financial aid offices at the Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Management. Tracy’s favorite thing about Yale is the opportunities it has given her professionally. She loves the fact that what we do in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office matters by helping students to fund an extraordinary education. She also appreciates that Yale is a community of diverse cultures and nationalities, bringing together different experiences and mindsets where we can all learn from one another. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from American International College. Outside of work, she loves to travel with her family, trying out new recipes from YouTube, watching college basketball, and cheering on her favorite NFL team, the New Orleans Saints. She also just started learning to play guitar! |
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Antonia "Toni" Abildgaard Senior Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names Oc-Sah Toni began her career at Yale in 1997 reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Financial and Administrative Services, supporting six organizations, where she worked for fifteen years. She later joined the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office, where she has worked for twelve years. Toni served on the United Way Campaign in 2008 and 2009, something she really enjoyed. Toni is a big fan of Yale sports, especially men’s ice hockey. She loves the arts and culture at Yale and enjoys attending concerts and visiting the Yale Art Gallery. Toni has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albertus Magnus College. She is a mother to two wonderful sons and daughter-in-law’s and adores her handsome grandson. She likes to stay active and dabbles in drawing and painting in her free time. |
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Sarah Bedan Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names Sai-Uz Sarah has been working in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office at Yale since 2012. Her favorite thing about Yale is the Peabody Museum. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Fairfield University. Outside of work, Sarah loves spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves to read and enjoys doing all kinds of different crafts. |
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Katharine "Katie" Brett Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names Ff-Jz Katie started working with Yale in 2021 and relocated to Connecticut in 2022 to join the Undergraduate Financial Aid Team full-time as an Assistant Director. Her favorite thing about Yale is the rare book library. She graduated from Hastings College with a Bachelors degree in English and also earned an MBA from LSU. Outside of work, Katie loves to travel, spend time with her family and friends, and read. So far, Katie has visited more than 20 countries and 35 states. |
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Rondell Butler Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names A-Car Rondell started working at Yale in July 2023 as a Financial Aid Coordinator in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office and has recently been promoted to an Assistant Director. He has enjoyed the welcoming environment at Yale most so far. Rondell has a Bachelor’s and Associate degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing his MBA. In his spare time, Rondell enjoys vacations, sports, and family time. |
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Alyssa Corvi Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for all Eli Whitney Scholars and US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names K-Loo Alyssa has been working as an Assistant Director in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office since November 2022. Her favorite thing about Yale is its need-blind admissions process and need-based financial aid policy, as they ensure a Yale education is accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of background, citizenship, or immigration status. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is an avid Boston Bruins fan, lover of ice and roller hockey, and vintage shopping. |
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Sarah Pietryka Tucker Senior Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names Lop-Ob Sarah started as an Assistant Director in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office in 2021. Her favorite thing about Yale is the campus. She feels lucky to work in a place filled with such rich history, art, and natural beauty. Sarah is also an avid reader, so naturally loves the many wonderful libraries at Yale. Fittingly, she has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Vermont. Outside of work, she loves to travel. She and her husband try to take a trip to someplace new once a year, and now have a little girl who joins them on their adventures. Sarah is also a big animal lover and has two cats and a dog. |
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Nick Rendon Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names Cas-Fez Nick began working at Yale in April 2023 as an Assistant Director of Student Financial Support. His favorite thing about Yale is the beautiful and lively campus, and he often goes on walks to enjoy it all. Nick has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College and an MBA from Boston College. Nick has been working in the financial aid field for ten years. He lives outside of Hartford with his wife, Christina, and beloved cat, Rose. |
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Nicole Rothfuss Assistant Director Personal Financial Aid Counselor for International Citizens with last names A-Ci and US Citizens & Permanent Residents with last names V-Z Nicole has worked in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office at Yale since 2012. Her favorite part of Yale is the Ingalls Ice Rink. She holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Counseling, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Marketing. Outside of work, Nicole loves spending time with her husband, two daughters, and dog, Roxy. |
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Alyssa Alchimio Senior Administrative Assistant Alyssa began working at Yale in June 2023 as an Administrative Assistant. Her favorite thing about Yale is its beautiful campus. She graduated from Sacred Heart University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and her cat, Boo. Alyssa loves crafts, going for a run, and taking family vacations, especially cruises. A fun fact about Alyssa is that she did gymnastics for eighteen years! |
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Ella Bellamy Senior Administrative Assistant Ella has worked at Yale since 1997 as a Senior Administrative Assistant. Her favorite thing about Yale is the people: she loves her coworkers and always enjoys Staff Appreciation Day. An added bonus for Ella is that Yale is close to her home! She is devoted to her faith and her family, and is a proud mother and grandmother. Ella also loves to sing, and her beautiful voice can be heard around the office to the delight of her coworkers. |
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Francesca "Fran" D'Amato Senior Administrative Assistant Francesca has worked at Yale since 2019, four of those years as an Administrative Assistant in Graduate Housing before joining the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office. Her favorite thing about Yale is the architecture. Fran loves to take campus tours as often as she can, and she also loves attending and working at the Yale vs. Harvard Football Games. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albertus Magnus, and an MBA from the University of New Haven. |
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Vacancy Financial Aid Coordinator |