Alyssa Kilbourn

Alyssa Kilbourn is a Part-Time Lecturer at the English Department of North Hennepin Community College. She has served as faculty advisor for Northern Light, NHCC's undergraduate research journal, since 2019.

• Education: BA in English, St. Cloud State University
• MA in Rhetoric & Writing, St. Cloud State University (2016)

Alyssa's research focuses on identity construction and collective action analyzed through superhero narratives and Table Top Role Playing Games. Her thesis explored the superhero collective in the CW television show Arrow as a case study in post-humanism. She is particularly interested in representation of asexual identities in media through a critical lens.

As faculty advisor for Northern Light, Alyssa mentors students in academic publishing and undergraduate research. She teaches first-year composition courses while maintaining regular office hours: Mondays/Wednesdays 10:00 am-11:50 am, Tuesdays/Thursdays 12:00 pm-1:50 pm, with additional availability via email for in-person or Zoom meetings.

Outside academia, Alyssa engages in recreational activities aligned with her research interests: running, playing Dungeons & Dragons, social dancing (specializing in West Coast Swing), competitive Bananagrams, and Critical Role fandom. These hobbies reflect her commitment to experiential learning and community building.