Sari Byerly, Ph.D. has worked for TRIO programs since 2002. She began her TRIO journey as a student employee in the TRIO programs at the University of Utah. Dr. Byerly’s post-secondary training has focused around research and assessment methods. She has earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Psychology from the University of Utah. While obtaining her Master’s degree she excelled in training new university instructors in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. She considers herself a master in mixed methodology and has mentored undergraduates in research. In 2014, Dr. Byerly achieved her ultimate educational goal of earning a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho. She is currently the Executive Director of the Access and Opportunity Programs at Idaho State University in which there are six TRIO grants: Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, Educational Opportunity Center and two Educational Talent Search programs. Dr. Byerly has served in many leadership roles throughout her tenure in TRIO, including Utah TRIO ASPIRE State Conference Chair, IATP Student Leadership Chair, IATP State Conference Co-Chair, IATP Government Relations Chair, IATP President, IATP Bylaws Chair, NAEOP ELI Co-Chair, NAEOP Conference Co-Chair, and most recently serving as the President of the Northwest Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (NAEOP). As a first generation college student Sari believes strongly in educational access. Through her leadership roles she strives to play a part in building new leaders to continue the pathways in educational equity.