Aces of Trades: Tony Box takes winding road to Marion Tech
Sometimes a career is very unexpected.
“I was involved in many high school activities — four sports, band, choir etc. plus a part-time job,” recalled Tony Box. “In the early 1980s the prediction was that computer technology was going to shorten the work week. So I went on to study tourism and recreation so I could make a living off of people’s leisure time. Obviously, that prediction did not come true. Higher education was never on my mind.”
Today, Box is director of admissions and recruitment at Marion Technical College.
“My role is to guide the recruitment activities of the college so that we meet enrollment goals and adhere to federal and state guidelines," he explained. "I absolutely love it! It’s a privilege to help other first-generation students take the leap toward a college degree and life-changing employment.”
Box, now 54, grew up in Schaller, Iowa, a town of 600 people in the northwest corner of the state. He graduated from high school there in 1986 with a class of 16 people, then Iowa State University in a program for recreation/tourism. He was a first-generation college student in his family.
“My first career was in the hospitality industry,” he said. “A college internship took me to a family resort in the mountains of Colorado. I soon went back there as a full-time employee and progressed in the business. I met my wife at that workplace. Soon after getting married, we moved to Ohio where she grew up.”
“Moving to Ohio required a career change,” he continued. “I began work with a private college as an admissions representative. Aspects of the job such as marketing, event management and assisting families in selecting a college really interested me. Further into the career I became interested in the predictive analytics used by colleges and working with first-generation college students.”
“After leaving the private college for a position in industry,” he added, “I found I missed the college environment. I’m fortunate Marion Tech had an open position for an admissions counselor, and they hired me.”
Box has now been at Marion Tech for eight years.
“I have nothing but the highest regards for Tony,” assessed Dr. Amy Adams, vice president for planning and advancement at MTC. “Tony goes above and beyond to help our students here at Marion Tech. He always takes the time to talk with a prospective student — and in many cases, their families as well. He’s a great listener and truly enjoys helping people. He’s a consummate professional and is truly a joy to have here at MTC.”
“I would have never predicted where I am now,” Box responded. “I’ve been able to experience life in the mountains and now get to take part in a process that changes the future of many generations. As the cost of four-year colleges increase, Marion Tech provides a great option for the people in the region to obtain a valuable degree without the large debt associated today with college. It’s great to be a part of such a life-changing process.”
Marion Technical College is located at 1467 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Marion. For more information, call 740-386-4208 or log on mtc.edu.
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at news@marionstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Technical College's Tony Box is helping to change lives
