Kristi Wood-Turner

Kristi Wood-Turner is a distinguished faculty member at the Sociology Department of West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. With a profound commitment to community engagement, Kristi has been actively involved in initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and the broader community. Her research interests lie at the intersection of community engagement, economic development, and social and behavioral sciences, where she strives to create meaningful impacts through collaborative efforts. In the 2022-2023 academic year, Kristi participated in the ACE Series Recordings organized by the Center for Community Engagement at West Virginia University. This series brought together a diverse group of panelists, speakers, and moderators from various esteemed institutions, including Virginia Tech, University of Minnesota Extension, and Eastern Michigan University. The sessions were a platform for sharing insights and best practices on topics such as university-community matchmaking, community-engaged research, and scholarly outreach for sustainable impact. Kristi's contributions to these sessions were invaluable, as she shared her expertise in building outcomes around engagement experiences and fostering economic growth through collaborative efforts. Her work emphasizes the importance of empowering citizens and promoting healthy communities, aligning with her belief that academia has a vital role to play in societal development. Her dedication to curriculum development and community-engaged research has not only enriched the academic environment at West Virginia University but has also had a lasting impact on the communities she serves. Kristi's approach is characterized by a deep understanding of the social and behavioral health sciences, which she leverages to create strategies that address real-world challenges. Through her involvement in these initiatives, Kristi continues to advocate for the integration of scholarly outreach with community needs, ensuring that the knowledge generated within the university setting translates into tangible benefits for society. Her work stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential for academic institutions to drive positive change in the world.