Siyo! My name is Alyssa Persina and I am so happy to be working with Responder Support Services. I am a social worker with an interdisciplinary background in culture, language, and community advocacy. I earned two bachelor's degrees from Western Carolina University in Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology and International Studies, followed by a Master of Social Work, with a minor in Cherokee Studies. I am currently an LCSWA and plan on receiving my LCSW within the near future.

My professional interests center on working alongside marginalized communities, with a particular focus on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Growing up in a military family in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, gave me an appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and diverse perspectives. Today, I am proud to call the Great Smoky Mountains home, where I am committed to providing culturally responsive, strengths-based support to the communities I serve. Sgi!