Meet The Team

  • A bald man in a dark suit jacket and light dress shirt standing outdoors next to a brick wall, smiling at the camera.

    Eric Simonelli

    CO-FOUNDER

    Eric Simonelli is the Co-Founder and expert College Admissions Consultant at Academic Admissions Advisors (AAA), guiding students through the highly competitive college admissions process. With over 25 years of experience in secondary and higher education, Eric combines strategic admissions insight with a deep understanding of high-achieving academic pathways and competitive college preparation.

    A member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), Eric served for thirteen years as an Admissions Advisor and Athletic Liaison at the University of Rhode Island and most recently spent eight years as Director of College Counseling and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach at La Salle Academy. He has built strong relationships with college admissions representatives, giving students valuable insight into what selective colleges seek.

    A former Division III collegiate basketball player, Hall of Fame inductee, and 1,000-point scorer, Eric brings specialized expertise in athletic recruitment and the collegiate club sports process. Raised in Duxbury, Massachusetts, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Endicott College and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Rhode Island.

    Eric has built strong relationships with college admissions representatives, providing students with an insider’s perspective on what top-tier colleges seek. A former Division III collegiate basketball player, Hall of Fame inductee, and 1,000-point scorer, he also brings extensive expertise in athletic recruitment and the collegiate club sports process.

  • A woman with long dark hair, wearing a light-colored blazer, smiling in front of a blurred background with warm lights.

    Gabriella Caprio

    CO-FOUNDER

    Gabriella Caprio is the Co-Founder and experienced college admissions consultant at AAA, where she guides students and families through the college application, admissions, and financial aid process. With a hands-on approach, Gabriella helps make the journey both manageable and enjoyable. In addition to her work at Academic Admissions Advisors, she serves as a lead World Languages teacher in the City of Providence, Rhode Island, bringing over two decades of experience in secondary and higher education.

    Fluent in three languages, Gabriella holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s degree in Education from Rhode Island College. She also serves as Chair of the Education Committee at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Her students have gained admission to highly selective colleges and universities, including Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Tufts University, and Villanova.

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a blue blazer and a white top, against a blurred neutral background.

    Susan Santucci

    LEAD CONSULTANT OF AAA IVY TEST PREP & TUTORING

    Susan Santucci is a nationally recognized SAT/ACT expert and author with over 30 years of experience guiding students through standardized testing and the college admissions process. She holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University and is the founder of Ivy League Tutoring, which has helped thousands of students gain admission to top-tier colleges, including Princeton, Stanford, Yale, and Boston College. Susan specializes in helping students strengthen their academic skills, build confidence, and achieve top scores that lead to admission at highly selective universities. She is passionate about personalized instruction and mentoring students to reach their full potential.

  • College Admissions Consultant & Essay Coach

    Anne brings more than 20 years of experience in college admissions and student advising. A former Admission Advisor at the University of Rhode Island (URI), Anne has extensive firsthand insight into the application review process and what colleges look for in prospective students.

    She previously served as a college counselor at La Salle Academy in Providence, RI, where she guided students through every stage of their college planning journey. Anne currently works at the Community College of Rhode Island and is also an expert college admissions consultant, where she helps high school students with the college admissions process, and college students explore transfer pathways and two- to four-year transitions.

    Anne’s deep knowledge of admissions practices, combined with her supportive, student-centered approach, makes her an invaluable resource for families navigating today’s competitive college landscape.

  • College Essay Coach

    Darcy is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in higher education. She began her career at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI, as an Admissions Advisor until 2013, before transitioning to the University of New England in Biddeford, ME, where she served as the Director of First-Year Admissions for 8 years. With a Bachelor's degree and a Master's Degree in College Student Personnel, Darcy brings knowledge and expertise to her consulting practice. Passionate about empowering high school students to reach their full potential, Darcy is dedicated to providing strategic guidance and college solutions in higher education.

  • College Essay Coach

    Gregory has been an educator for over 20 years. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont and a Master’s in Education from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Gregory is currently a member of the English Department at North Kingstown High School.  He is a certified Rhode Island educator and is a fully trained and practicing Advanced Placement (AP) instructor.  

    In addition to his classroom teaching experience in North Kingstown and California, Gregory has an extensive background in the outdoor education field, serving a broad range of students from a variety of different backgrounds and ability levels.  This experience shaped his educational philosophy and taught him how to foster a safe and supportive, yet rigorous and challenging learning environment. 

  • College Essay Coach

    Mary Ellen has worked in the field of multilingual education for over 20 years and currently teaches for the Providence Public School District. She has been a writing coach for the past 10 years, helping students with their college application and scholarship essays. Additionally, she is a Learning Guide/Adjunct Professor at Roger Williams University, where she assists teacher candidates through a rigorous competency-based certification program. She also serves as a Language Proficiency Screener at the Providence Schools Registration Center.

    Mary Ellen is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Emerson College and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the School for International Training. She is Nationally Board Certified in English as a New Language and has served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.