The Swetland Center is excited to welcome Maggie Switzer to our team! She is joining as our newest research associate and you can learn more about her by reading our interview below!
1. What project will you be working on and what is your role?
My position at Swetland is the Data Systems Research Associate. I will be working primarily on the following projects: 1) Nourishing Power, 2) Community Nutrition Statewide and National Partnerships, and 3) HEALing Communities Study. My role will be to assist with data collection and analysis, implementation of standard operating procedures related to human subjects’ protection, data management and organization, coordination of study protocols, and the leadership of quality improvement projects related to the research conducted at Swetland.
2. Where are you from?
I am originally from Dayton, Ohio and am a proud native Daytonian. However, I have lived for continuous periods of time in Pennsylvania, Maryland/DC, Peru, and Atlanta, Georgia.
3. What is your background in?
I studied Social Work and Spanish and have a Master’s in Public Health. I have worked with grassroots nonprofits devoted to food systems change, gaining experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and community organizing. I spent two years working in Peru in community health, where I engaged in health promotion and capacity building. While studying for my Master of Public health degree, I gained experience in both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, the management of research studies and research project implementation.
4. What excites you about joining the Swetland Center?
I am very excited to join the Swetland Center because of its commitment to community-engaged research and the utilization of mixed methods. From what I have seen, the Swetland Center seems incredibly intentional about the way they conduct research, and seem to be continuously working for the betterment of communities, as well as their own growth and development as community researchers and contributors. I am very excited for my growth and development on this team, and I hope to learn from my colleagues, both at Swetland and the many community partners they engage with in their work.
5. What is your favorite outdoor space in Cleveland or a place you want to explore?
I am actually not incredibly familiar with the greater Cleveland area, so I am looking forward to learning all the great places to explore! However, I have always been a fan of the National Parks, so I will start by exploring the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
6. What is a piece of advice you have been given or quote/statement that is significant to you?
A recent quote that I’ve reflected on is: “Never quit on a bad day”.