Published 12/12/25 | Written by Audrey Baker

For Cole Jamal (they/she), working on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is more than a dream job in federal policy—it’s personal. “At one point in my past, I was on SNAP,” they recall. “Now, I get to help ensure the program is run with integrity—and that people get benefits in a timely way when they need them.”

As a SNAP Management Analyst with the USDA’s Northeast Regional Office, Jamal supports SNAP operations across eight states and territories, helping to administer one of the nation’s most critical safety net programs. They serve as a connector across the region’s multiple branches—coordinating logistics, streamlining communications, and strengthening oversight. “I’m a go-between for our branches,” Jamal explains. They help set priorities, manage budgets, facilitate meetings, and screen outgoing reports.

Jamal’s work spans everything from supporting anti-fraud initiatives to managing internal agency websites, to helping state agencies navigate major program changes and understand new federal regulations. They also oversee a state exchange program that allows state-level SNAP staff to attend trainings and conferences focused on preventing fraud and strengthening program accountability. “With great power comes great responsibility,” they add. “I’m accountable to our director and branch chiefs, and the tools I develop get used across the region.”

Jamal collaborates closely with state agencies that often face resource constraints and staff turn-over. “Each state is different,” they explain. “Part of our role is to help bring people together, share knowledge, and have honest conversations about what’s working and what’s not.” To this end, they lead biweekly regional calls with their state directors and territory partners, and hold individual meetings with each jurisdiction to troubleshoot local issues.

Their work is also responsive to evolving policy. Jamal supports state implementation of regulatory changes—from updates to allowable food purchases to shifting federal funding structures, including the recent elimination of dedicated dollars for SNAP-Ed, a nutrition education program, in some states. “We help agencies adjust and keep services running,” they say. “Even in the face of change, we are here to support administration priorities, and make sure our programs run efficiently.”

One new direction Jamal is excited about is SNAP’s growing focus on employment and training through a campaign called More Than a Job. “It’s a positive shift,” they say. “If someone’s receiving SNAP, they can now also access childcare and vocational training—so they can work toward long-term stability.”

Jamal’s path to public health leadership began in the Peace Corps, where they worked in HIV mitigation and supply chain support in Eswatini before being evacuated due to COVID-19. That experience led them to Cornell’s MPH Program, where they pursued the Food Systems & Health concentration, building the skillset that now defines their work.

Just a few weeks into the MPH program, Jamal’s faculty mentor Dr. Elizabeth Fox put them in touch with her USDA partners. “That networking opportunity was everything,” Jamal says. “Informational interviews and relationship-building—those are how I got my job.”

They also credit MPH courses with preparing them to manage USDA’s internal websites, ensuring platforms are functional and user-friendly. “It’s about making our work accessible,” they note.

Looking ahead, Jamal plans to stay in public service and continue growing in leadership. “I’ll be a public servant as long as the government will have me,” they say. “I love learning—and I feel like I make a difference, both for the people we serve, and for the people I work with.”