Arkansas A+ Staff
Alyssa Wilson
Executive Director
Alyssa Wilson joined Arkansas A+ Schools as the Executive Director in August of 2021. She oversees strategic operations for the organization, collaborating with staff, fellows, and network schools to accomplish the A+ mission and vision.
She has a background in education, the arts, and museums, and through these experiences, she has developed a passion for cultivating collaborative relationships with K-12 schools. Previously, she served as Museum Manager at the Peel Compton Foundation in Bentonville offering leadership to all museum and education projects for two historic house museums: the Peel Museum and Compton Gardens. She is also an arts integration specialist, and her previous positions at Arkansas Arts Academy (an Arkansas A+ network school) and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art allowed her to highlight and bring forward the essential and unique learning that can take place when you integrate the arts with all subjects and truly connect to the lives of our youth.
For fun: Alyssa loves calling the Natural State home. She is a lover of nature and the outdoors, and enjoys exploring nature (through hikes, runs, and road bike rides) alongside her husband and their furry family members or dogs, Ruby and Gus.
Allie Mitchell
Program Director
Allie Mitchell joined Arkansas A+ Schools as Program Director in Spring 2023. She creates and leads all programs in accordance with the mission and goals of Arkansas A+.
Allie has a background in education and the arts, and has experience working with audiences that range from students, youth/family, to adults. She began her career working at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia where she grew the museum’s volunteer program to create an engaging visitor experience. Most recently, she served as the Guide Program Manager at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art where she has spent the last 8 years providing educators with the resources and support they need to offer tours, classes, and programs. Through her work in nonprofits and informal learning spaces, she has seen firsthand how the arts start conversations, engage learners, and inspire curiosity in people of all ages and is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to A+ Schools.
For fun: In her spare time, you can find Allie exploring everything the beautiful state of Arkansas has to offer with her family and friends. She also enjoys gardening, reading, and Razorbacks baseball.
Angie Hicks
Operations Coordinator
Angie Hicks joined Arkansas A+ on March 2, 2020 as the Operations Coordinator.
Angie is a Little Rock native and graduate of Little Rock Central High. Angie received a BA degree in Art History from University of Memphis. Angie has over 30 years experience in office management with the 20 years prior to Arkansas A+ as a department coordinator for Civil Engineering Dept. in California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
For fun: Angie loves all Razorback sports and spending time with her granddaughters.
