Chanel Hall, M.S., participated in SESEC’s flagship program, Advocacy and Policy Cohort, in 2017 when she worked at Techbridge Girls as the program coordinator. In 2018, she became the program manager and empowered educators to facilitate STEM after-school programs for elementary school girls. She joined originally to learn how to make a bigger impact in her community.
“At the time, I was really just trying to figure out next steps and how to make a broader impact than just after-school programs. I knew I didn’t want to stay after school programs forever. I just thought it would be a good growth opportunity to learn a little bit more about policy and advocacy,” Hall says, “I remember going through the program, just hearing from different speakers and being inspired. That was my first taste of policy and advocacy, and little did I know I would actually use some of those skills in my next job after I left.“
She then moved on to the Foundation for Tacoma students as a STEAM Network Manager to increase access to a STEAM education for students of color, girls, and those impacted by poverty in Pierce County. She moved up to become their Associate Director of Strategy and Impact.
“I went to the Foundation for Tacoma students and ended up doing quite a bit of advocacy work around education and learned how to approach the legislature and how to listen to their bills,” Hall says, “Even today in my day-to-day job, I use those skills to try to understand what’s happening.”
A decade after her participation in APC, she is now the Workforce Ecosystem Program Manager at the Technology Alliance, which is a statewide nonprofit that includes businesses and research facilities that support education in Washington.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to participate in APC. I’ve been here for almost a year at the Tech Alliance and just learned a lot. It’s the right fit for me,” says Hall, “I love technology, I love innovation, and all the things. I’m a STEM girl. So this fits right up my leaf.”
She brings a wealth of knowledge with her chemistry background, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Penn State University and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Oakland University.
Learn more about Advocacy and Policy Cohorts here.
Hong Ta is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. Have a suggestion for our Advocacy and Policy Cohort highlight series? Email her at [email protected].