Allyson Murphy is the Assistant Director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at Appalachian State University (ASU). TRIO SSS is a federally funded program that supports students who are first generation college students (neither parent earned a four year degree) and/or students from low-income backgrounds. Allyson is passionate about supporting her students as they attain their undergraduate degree. She earned her BA double major in English and Art History and a minor in Psychology from Houghton College in Western New York. She earned her MA in Professional School Counseling from ASU and is currently completing a graduate certificate in Non-Profit Administration from ASU as well. Allyson was born and raised in Western New York but found her way to West North Carolina due to her love of the mountains and familial Appalachian roots. She has lived in North Carolina for 6 years now and, outside of work, she loves hiking, running, and painting as well as spending time with her husband, family, and friends.