ISU Executive Director of TRIO Sari Byerly honored as Accomplished Under 40

Byerly, who feels privileged to work with opportunity programs at Idaho State University, was chosen from more than 130 applicants.

The selection committee, which is comprised of both past winners and internal staff, considered applicants based on leadership, professional accomplishments, community support and vision/meeting goals.

“Idaho is lucky to have men and women with the innate desire to do good not only for themselves, but for their community and beyond,” aaid Chantayn Winner, an associate vice president Business Banking Officer at D.L. Evans Bank and previous honoree who served as a 2019 judge.

Byerly, who was born when her mother was only a teenager, believes that the support of her mother and grandparents has contributed to her success.

“It is easy to say that one's accomplishments are due to their own hard work and determination, but this award is actually proof of much more,” Byerly said. “It is proof that hard work is only one part of the equation. The other part is the support and work of others that create the opportunities. Without the support of my family, I would have never gotten through my bachelor’s degree, let alone a doctorate.”

Prior to assuming her role at Idaho State University in 2002, Byerly worked with the TRIO Upward Bound program at the University of Utah, which is also where she completed her psychology bachelor’s degree and social psychology master’s degree.

She has served as president of the state TRIO Association, Idaho Association of TRIO Professionals and currently serves as the regional past president for the Northwest Association of Educational Opportunity Programs.