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.

Amy Zaccario comes to VPSE with over 30 years of experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Known for her exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to streamline administrative processes, Amy has supported teams across a wide range of industries. Her deep understanding of office management, scheduling, and customer service makes her a vital asset to any organization.

Sandhya Purohit, our Graduate Assistant, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University in 2025. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where she is enrolled in the Professional Counseling program. Sandhya is pursuing her goal of becoming a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor.

Krisha Balsarkar is a graduate student in the M.Phil.Ed. in Professional Counseling program at the University of Pennsylvania. Her background includes clinical and research experience in trauma and addiction, with a strong focus on creating supportive, culturally sensitive interventions. At Veterans Upward Bound, Krisha is committed to helping veterans reach their academic and personal goals by bringing empathy, structure, and encouragement to their educational journey.

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.

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.

Jessica Moulite is a lifelong learner, award-winning video producer and daughter of Haitian immigrants. Her work has been featured on BBC News, The Columbia Journalism Review, The Root, Univision News, Noticias Univision 24/7, The GlobalPost, and more. She is a graduate of Hamilton College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Women’s Studies, and earned her Master’s in Journalism at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Currently, Jessica is pursuing her PhD in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Inequality at Howard University. Her research centers on environmental justice.