Our Staff
Alexandra Blake
Program Director
Alexandra Blake, MPH has a passion for helping people. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in French with a Minor in Statistics from the University of Vermont, and her Master’s of Public Health from Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University. With a background in research and Public Health, Alexandra understands the importance of connecting people with the resources they need, something she had hands-on experience with while working as a COVID-19 Case Investigator for The Virginia Department of Health. As a Military BRAT, helping Veterans is a very personal cause for Alexandra. She is excited to help Veterans in the area get connected with each other and their next steps in life.
Kina Focareto
Academic Director
Kina Focareto is excited to assist local veterans as the Academic Director at Veterans Upward Bound. For over 10 years, Kina has had the distinct privilege of making an impact on the lives of those who serve and have served our country. She is passionate about helping students achieve their academic and professional goals through holistic coaching, career trend analysis, proactive advocacy, targeted support, and effective resource coordination. Her Master’s in Business Psychology equips her with the skills to guide students in leveraging education for career advancement.
Kina is personally invested in partnering with veterans throughout their post-secondary education journey. She believes that effective advocacy begins with a human connection. She recognizes that through repeated, strategic, and heartfelt engagement, she is able to witness the transformational power of advising. She’s ready to break down barriers, navigate through challenges and proactively guide veterans towards a successful academic career.Â
Noah Luna-Rodriguez
Outreach, Marketing, and Recruitment Coordinator
Noah Luna-Rodriguez comes to the Veterans Upward Bound Program with experience in community outreach, communications, and advocacy work. He studied Political Communication at The University of Texas at Austin and has worked with organizations such as the Modern Military Association of America, where he coordinated large-scale events, managed budgets, and supported LGBTQ+ military advocacy on Capitol Hill. Noah also brings experience from Texas AARP, creating digital content, supporting legislative efforts, and expanding community partnerships. He is passionate about helping Veterans reach their goals and navigate their next steps. Outside of work, Noah enjoys reading sci-fi and classic mysteries and baking sourdough bread.