‘Do the Hard Things': One Student's Recipe for Creating a Better World
Student Snapshot: Alyssa Daly ’27
Whether she's volunteering in the community, building up a mentoring program on campus, completing a community-focused internship or helping peers explore potential careers, Alyssa Daly '27 strives to live by the motto “Leave everything better than you found it.” After Dickinson, she aims to help improve public education in the United States.
Hometown:
Denver, Pa.
High school:
Cocalico High School.
Major:
Educational studies, with a concentration in education and society.
On choosing Dickinson:
I applied to a lot of similar liberal-arts schools, but Dickinson was the place that I felt I could really make my own. I appreciated all of the opportunities that were available and truly envisioned myself being able to learn and grow here.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience:
Working for a local nonprofit through Dickinson's Community Engagement Fellows program. That experience made me realize my love for nonprofit work. It was also a great way to immerse myself in both Dickinson and Carlisle during my first year of college.
Best thing about my major:
Getting to look at systemic issues and how they affect both education and society at the local, state and federal levels. The educational studies major incorporates so many different disciplines, from environmental science to women’s, gender & sexuality studies.
Favorite class:
My First-Year Seminar, Contested Campus: Key Issues in Higher Education, was so impactful. Professor of Educational Studies Neil Weissman brought in guest speakers, and it was this class that helped me realize my love for educational policy work.
Favorite professor:
Professor Weissman. As my First-Year Seminar instructor and advisor, he opened my eyes to everything that educational studies could be. Beyond that, he has continuously pushed me to do hard things and turn every challenge into a learning experience. I remember telling him when we first met that I wanted to do anything to get out of my lab science requirement, but he encouraged me to just give it a chance and give it my all. I ended up taking environmental science, and it’s been one of my favorite classes!
About my internships:
This past summer I interned with the Lancaster County Democratic Committee. I worked on campaigns, canvassed and attended lots of events. I loved being part of grassroots policy work! I gained valuable experience talking with community members, and I learned how important it is to listen to constituents to understand the issues they face.
My longest internship has been as a program coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) (I’ve now been there for three semesters). Being at BBBS has taught me the power of youth mentorship. It's also deepened my love for nonprofits that are focused on youth advocacy. I’ve learned what it means to lead new initiatives and build sustainable programs.
Proudest accomplishment so far:
Building up the Dickison Bigs program! It’s been so rewarding to grow the program over the past year and a half and see recruiting efforts pay off. It’s also been incredible to see Dickinson students build bonds with elementary students—their connections are awesome!
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Do the hard things. Your educational experience, and life in general, is so much more fulfilling when you do.
Best advice I’ve received:
My greatest mentor is my high-school choir director, Miss Kristen Diehl. Her advice has always been: “Leave everything better than you found it.”
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Dean’s List.
Clubs and organizations:
Center for Civic Learning & Action (Community Engagement Fellow program coordinator), Liberty Caps (tour guide), Burgess Institute, career ambassador, Dickinson College Choir and Kappa Delta Pi .
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Published March 19, 2026