Staci Hall
“I love the mission of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank,” says Staci Hall ‘15M. “I’m grateful to work with passionate people who strive to improve the lives of those in our community.”
Hall started working with the food bank in Cleveland through AmeriCorps immediately after graduating with her M.A. in Sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University.
She now works on the Data Team in the I.T. Department at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The organization’s mission is to ensure that everyone in their communities has the nutritious food they need every day. On the Data Team, she works with her network of nearly 1,000 partners to collect data, including client data, and train them on intake systems and how to submit reports.
Data Analysis & Automation
Her position analyzes data from public data sets including the Census Bureau and the American Community Survey, which assists in the strategic planning of the organization. She trains the staff on data use, data analysis and data systems as needed, and assists with data automation projects to improve the efficiency and accuracy of reporting and analytics.
One of the four main strategic goals of her organization’s three-year strategic plan is to “Improve access and outcomes for the people we serve by better tracking success.” During the summer of 2019, she and her colleagues worked towards this goal by completing an Evaluation of their Senior Market Program. They used a mixed-method approach for the data collection by collecting surveys and conducting focus groups. This data was analyzed along with internal data about the Senior Market program and external data sources about poverty in the community to inform their organization and improve programming.
Her OHIO Experience – now and then
“During the focus group process,” Hall says, “I reached out to Dr. Charlie Morgan, a professor at Ohio University, to review key steps in identifying themes from transcriptions. I am very appreciative that the skills I learned in graduate school at Ohio University prepared me for the career I have now, and for Dr. Morgan’s time in talking with a past student. “
“I also enjoy using skills that I acquired throughout college to make a difference,” she continues. “Each course I took while obtaining my Masters in Sociology at Ohio University has directly impacted the work I do each day.”
Hall describes that courses in poverty, low-income work, and theory improved her critical thinking skills. Teaching introductory courses strengthened her skills as a trainer and teacher internally and externally at work. Also, quantitative data analysis and qualitative research methods courses provided skills that she directly uses in her role on the Data Team.
“I am fortunate to have been a part of a program that was highly engaging that also led to a fulfilling career,” she says.
Her volunteer work with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, began in Athens, Ohio, through a connection with Ohio University. She is now in her 6th year with this program.
“My time at Ohio University helped shape my life in significant ways inside and outside of the classroom.”
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