Team

Dr. Reginald H. Miles serves as the Director, Veterans Upward Bound. He has worked in the higher education field for two decades. Previously, he served as the Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Associate Dean of Admission/Director of Multicultural Recruitment at St. Olaf College. Dr. Miles has worked in enrollment and academic and student services at The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Emerson College. He holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, a M.Ed. in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State University, and an undergraduate degree in English from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Michael earned his BA in Communications from Wilkes University, an MA in Counselor Education from Kean University and an EdM in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University.  He is certified in NJ and PA as a disaster response crisis counselor and aims to be a calming voice in these uncertain times. 

Justin is a Philadelphia native and a graduate of the School District of Philadelphia. At the age of 24, he began his college journey as a non-traditional student and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Broadcasting with a Journalism minor from Mansfield University.

Amanda is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Biology and Education. Starting her career in the lab, and later entering the classroom as a science educator for over 10 years.  Her primary goal as an instructor is to ignite a love of learning and to communicate the importance of scientific literacy for all people.

Alexa holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Villanova University. She went on to complete the Urban Teaching Residency at the University of Pennsylvania through Teach For America, where she earned her Instructional I certifications in English (7–12) and Special Education (7–12). She also holds a 200-hour certification in Wellness, Social and Emotional Learning, and Yoga Instruction, reflecting her commitment to supporting students holistically. Alexa currently works as the Financial Aid Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Daniel is a Louisiana State University graduate with a BS in Physics (2006) and a MS in Natural Science (2010). He began teaching science and math in Baton Rouge, LA in 2006 and eventually moved to Savannah, GA in 2014 to teach math at an Early College. At that time, he became aware of the Savannah State University Upward Bound program and began working for them as an instructor. He has the pleasure of continuing to work for them remotely. After moving to New Jersey in 2021, Daniel researched local UB programs and quickly applied to be an instructor for UPenn’s VUB program.

Señora Lena has a profound interest to enhance the lives of marginalized populations.  Lena welcomes connecting with people and organizations alike that align with her interests in Education, International Advocacy, Refugee Resettlement, Immigration and Employment Services.  Lena holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies/ Affairs from Temple University.  She has had classroom teaching experience providing Spanish education at One Bright Ray Community High School in the city of Philadelphia, a program specifically designed for adult education, leading to obtaining a high school diploma.

Hanh is a master’s student in the higher education division at the Penn Graduate School of Education and a graduate assistant for Veterans Upward Bound. She received her bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego. Before her higher education journey, she served as an ammunition technician in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is passionate about increasing access to higher education for first- generation and military-connected students.

Pheebe earned her BA in Psychology and Communication Studies from the University of Richmond and will graduate with her MSEd in Counseling and Mental Health Services from the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about supporting international and historically marginalized students, and strives to create a warm, inclusive space where students feel seen, heard, and empowered.