Her Story
About Misty
Misty Merilien is an adult education and workforce development professional serving the Marshall County, Alabama, community through Northeast Alabama Community College. Her work focuses on helping adult learners strengthen their literacy, English-language, digital, and workplace skills while navigating pathways toward further education and employment. In her current role as Work-Based Learning Coordinator, she supports student recruitment and retention, assists with program planning and evaluation, contributes to grant proposals, and develops relationships with local industries to create pre-apprenticeship and career development opportunities. Her previous experience includes teaching adult education and English to non-English speakers, as well as working in college admissions and records administration at Snead State Community College.
In addition to her educational work, Misty is President of the Board and Co-Founder of Marshall County Resource Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting underserved individuals and families with essential community resources. Through partnerships with local churches and community organizations, the ministry supports outreach initiatives involving food access, resource sharing, employment preparation, résumé assistance, SNAP application support, and spiritual care. Its long-term vision includes developing a centralized resource center with services such as food and clothing pantries, a medical clinic, a warming center, and spaces that connect community members with assistance. Misty also supports workforce development initiatives such as Project SEARCH and participates in professional organizations including ELAPSI, COABE, and Marshall County SHRM.
Misty's professional approach reflects a commitment to education, community service, and helping people move toward greater independence. She encourages women entering adult education to embrace unfamiliar opportunities, remain open to learning, and recognize the meaningful impact they can make through their work. She also emphasizes perseverance, particularly when funding limitations, transportation, childcare, and immigration-related challenges affect students' access to educational programs. Through her roles in adult education and nonprofit leadership, Misty works to strengthen community connections, expand access to resources, and help individuals pursue their educational, employment, and personal goals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Misty
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to never give up. There are times when circumstances make the work especially challenging, including the current immigration climate and its impact on our English as a Second Language students. Despite these difficulties, I believe it is important to remain committed to our mission, continue showing up for our students, and persevere even when progress is difficult. Consistency and determination help us keep moving forward and supporting the people who depend on our programs.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women not to be afraid of opportunities simply because they are unfamiliar. When I entered adult education, I did not know very much about the field, but I was willing to take a chance and learn. Sometimes, the best way to discover your potential is to step into something new and allow yourself to grow through the experience. Be open to learning, take that first step, and you may discover a meaningful career that makes a real difference in people's lives.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Funding is one of the biggest challenges in adult education, particularly when limited budgets make it difficult to invest in marketing and reach more potential students. From the students' perspective, transportation and childcare are two major barriers to participation. The current immigration climate has also created additional challenges for our English as a Second Language students. These circumstances make it especially important to continue connecting learners with educational resources, removing barriers where possible, and helping students pursue their educational and career goals.
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