Alyssa Waller is a passionate, hard-working woman who puts passion and care for others into everything she does. As a mother of two sons, she believes the history of African Americans needs to be passed onto future generations and that African American history is inadequately addressed in our educational system.
Black History Month prompts obligatory Black History programs, but the significance of Black History merits deeper inclusion in our curriculum, and rectifying historical inaccuracies is paramount. To this end, Alyssa has taken the initiative to press this matter with the Orange County School Board. By enlightening an adult audience, she hopes a ripple effect will foster dialogue about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Alyssa is a board member of the Orange County Academic Scholar Institute (ASI), dedicated to helping young men of color graduate from high school and pursue college matriculation and successful careers. She has also served on the Minority Advisory Board and the Minority Task Force for Orange County Public Schools. She is also a member of the Orange County Branch of the NAACP, serving on the youth committee.
Alyssa was twice honored with the OCPS “Above and Beyond” award. Former Superintendent Brenda Tanner called her the “unofficial school mom of OC.” In 2022, she co-hosted the first Multicultural Festival in Orange County. Within the UVA community, Alyssa is part of the Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), and DEI Committee for the Pediatrics Department.