Team

Michael earned his BA in Communications from Wilkes University, an MA in Counselor Education from Kean University, an EdM in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University and is currently a ML degree candidate within the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.  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, served as our Graduate Assistant during the 2025-2026 year and due to circumstances and new opportunities she is serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Penn Alumni office this term. Sandhya still visits the office often and has remained an inspiration to our Veteran Scholars as she too marches toward degree completion later this year.  She 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.

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.

Margie is a dedicated Veteran who proudly served in the United States Navy for 12 years. With a deep passion for education, she embraces the role of a lifelong learner. Her academic journey spans over 25 years, during which she earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology and a master’s degree in Instructional Design for Online Learning. Margie has also contributed to academia as an adjunct professor for more than two decades.

Dr. Rich Parenti is a United States Air Force veteran, lifelong learner, and education leader with more than two decades of experience directing academic programs and supporting adult and non-traditional learners. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida, a Baccalaureate in Secondary Science Education from Western Governors University, and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Over his career, he has served as an academic dean, campus director, program director, and classroom instructor. Teaching Science and Personal Finances for Veterans Upward Bound allows him to combine his passions for education and financial literacy while giving back to the veteran community he is proud to be part of.

Dr. David Blome is a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps whose pursuit of higher education began as a nontraditional student at the University of Pennsylvania. Having made the transition from the military to college himself, he understands the opportunities and challenges that many adult learners encounter as they pursue their educational goals. Dr. Blome designs his classes around careful reading, meaningful discussion, and purposeful writing. Through thoughtful engagement with texts, ideas, and each other, students develop the confidence to engage with challenging ideas, communicate effectively, and succeed in college and beyond.

Adam Straus is a Marine veteran. The author of Remedial Action (University of Nevada Press, 2027), his writing has appeared in The Iowa Review, The Missouri Review, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and elsewhere. Adam holds a BA from Yale and an MFA from Rutgers-Camden.