Alyssa graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and NC State, earning a BA in Media Studies and an MEd in Training and Development. 

At UNC at Greensboro, Alyssa was the co-president of a student organization called Advocacy for Access Action and Adaption providing a platform for students with disabilities on campus through dialog panels and events that aimed to address physical and social barriers to accessibility, such as Patient No More.

While at NC State, she served as both a Classroom Assistant and Social Media Coordinator with the NC State Science House. While volunteering with the Triangle Literacy Council as an Adult Basic Education English Second Language tutor, she developed her passion for working with kids with varying disabilities. 

These combined experiences, multifaceted backgrounds, and a love of books fostered a love for reading with kids from diverse backgrounds.

 Alyssa lives in Chapel Hill and likes books (including audio books- they are real books too), movies, and her cat.