Contributed NEW DIRECTOR — Nicole Marshall has begun her new duties as food service director at Indian Creek Local Schools. She serves through Nutrition Inc.

WINTERSVILLE — Nicole Marshall once roamed the halls of Indian Creek Local Schools as a student, but today she is back as the district’s new food service director.

Marshall, a native of Mingo Junction and 2006 Indian Creek High School graduate, began her new role in February and helps feed students, staff and faculty in the district’s four buildings. For her, it was like coming home and she has been adjusting well.

“I love it. I’m starting to adjust, and I came from the restaurant world, but I’m really excited and everyone’s been so supportive,” she said.

Marshall saw a job posting online with Nutrition Inc. and was hired following several interviews.

“I thought this would be perfect for being with my kids. When you are not looking for something, it happens,” she said. “It’s too good to be true and I’m excited to be back in the district where I went to school.”

She has very close ties to the district. In addition to being an alumna, her fiance, Ross Sanders, helped construct Indian Creek’s new schools and their two children, Brayden and Maddison, currently attend Cross Creek Elementary School. The Wintersville resident has experience in the food service industry with previous stints as a service manager at Texas Roadhouse and Applebee’s but said working in the school system is vastly different.

“I’m used to the high volume and fast pace and now it’s slower paced and we’re feeding kids,” she explained. “I can’t wait to learn more as I go.”

She also noted that she had worked with more than 100 employees at the eateries in the past, but now she oversees 27 workers and substitutes and is building a relationship with them. Marshall has gained plenty of support from the staff and district and hopes to provide students the nourishment they need as they feed their minds at school.

“My goal is to get different foods for students to try and give them opportunities they may not have at home. I want them to try new things and incorporate them into the menus,” she explained.

She has already added pierogis and pepperoni pizza grilled cheese sandwiches and also plans to carry on conversations with kids and survey teachers to obtain their input for menu ideas.