Harvill, a Springfield, Missouri native, was drawn to both the familiarities and peculiarities of Tulsa, where she relocated in August of 2001 to start a new life with husband, Nathan, who had proposed to her earlier that year on a visit to the Rose Garden in Woodward Park. For five years, she worked as a writer and Assistant Director of Ministerial Relations at Oral Roberts University, until she
left for Pennsylvania where Nathan studied law. For a season, she served as Public Relations Specialist and Front-of-House Manager at Allenberry Playhouse in Boiling Springs, until she was recruited to create an operations office in Mechanicsburg for the global missions organization, Global Awakening. There, she was promoted to executive assistant to the President. Since returning to Tulsa (and losing her father in 2010), Elissa has given many hours to volunteering and seeking further understanding, particularly in the fields of philosophy, theology, economics and government. She continues her independent study and writing and now seeks to directly contribute to local government. Rogers, Bob Ross, Bill Cosby and Milton Friedman, Elissa has a B.A. in English and Philosophy from Drury College. She currently resides uptown with her husband and their large feline at the University Club Apartments (the cylindrical chartreuse tower) and sings in the Centenary UMC choir.