Misti Salyers-Dunford

Misti serves as Research Project Manager for CHET's Research Scholars Program and the ASCEND project. As a lifelong resident of Appalachia, Misti Salyers-Dunford has dedicated her 20+ year career to empowering marginalized populations in the region.  Much of that time has been spent working in child welfare, promoting family preservation and reunification.  She earned a MA in Sociology from Morehead State University in May 2021, reflecting her strong commitment to her goals.  During Misti's academic career, she focused on understanding the impact of social stigma on individual choices and their subsequent social, emotional, and health outcomes.  She previously served as the Greenup County Community Coordinator for the University of Kentucky's HEALing Communities Study, where she gained expertise in community-engaged research.