Nick Maryns

A lifelong resident of Minnesota, Nick graduated summa cum laude from St. Olaf College in 2004 with a degree in Mathematics.  In college, Nick built houses in New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity, studied abroad in Hungary, and authored three research papers on various mathematical topics.  Nick worked for two years as a teacher in an academic enrichment program for inner-city middle school children where he designed and taught courses in environmental science, game theory, and economic inequality.

Field placement: Solid Ground

Seattle, Washington

Nick developed a disaster preparedness and recovery plan for the Seattle Food Committee, a coalition of Seattle’s 27 food pantries. He devised a strategic plan of action for the coalition and led initial training and education efforts.  Nick also helped establish partnerships for the Seattle Food Committee with local first responder groups and government agencies in order to better align disaster preparedness efforts in Seattle to meet the needs of its most vulnerable communities.

Policy placement: Food Research & Action Center

Washington, D.C.

Nick worked on several projects for FRAC, all pertaining to food stamp participation and why people who are eligible for food stamps don’t always receive them. Nick developed a web-based research tool on how local food stamp office practices and customer service impact food stamp participation and also helped update a yearly FRAC publication on food stamp access in twenty-five of the nation’s biggest cities.

Publications