Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) alumnus and former student-athlete, Andy Marks, took a position with his alma mater in 2008 as the assistant athletic director. Little did he know then that his talent for leading athletes would carry him to the position he finds himself in today: the executive director of athletics and enrollment operations.
A Region Rat from Hebron, Marks graduated from CCSJ with his bachelor’s degree in 2005 and his master’s in 2014. Marks played men’s volleyball and basketball while in college, and then later went on to serve as the head coach for both men’s and women’s volleyball between 2005 and 2016.
As someone who truly believes in CCSJ’s core value of being open to growth, Marks felt this position was a great step for himself. As former director of enrollment management, Marks shared how the new title for him was a transition that just made sense.
“I had been recruiting for the athletic programs for so long that it felt like a natural fit when the position opened to apply for it,” said Marks. “I looked at it as a position for me to grow in, learn more, and interact in different ways than I had before, and it sounded like an awesome opportunity.”
Supported by the great staff at Calumet College of St. Joseph, Marks pointed out two wonderful and inspiring supervisors as being influential throughout this process, the first being his former supervisor, Vice President of Student Engagement and Retention Dionne Jones-Malone.
“He is an amazing person and an amazing boss to work for,” Marks said.
Marks mentioned his current supervisor, Senior Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, & Athletics Johnny Craig, as being influential as well in helping him make the switch.
“Craig is a tremendous boss and a great person,” Marks said. “Between my former boss and my current boss, I can’t even explain how lucky I’ve been to have two great people to work for who really care and try to guide you, teach you, and help you grow. I felt ready to take on this challenge because I have that great support.”
Marks is very excited about the future for Calumet College of Saint Joseph. While there is an underlying focus on getting back to the “norm” after the pandemic, there is also an unquenchable thirst for challenges. Marks is thrilled about several new athletic coaches joining the team as well as the introduction of new programs like sprint football. Marks knows a lot of fabulous things are just ahead.
“Athletics is truly about making that team bond happen,” said Marks. “There is going to be a lot of building as a group, so we’re all running forward together to not only make a great experience for our athletes but to eventually win championships as well. We’re using this year to lay that foundation and put us on the right track.”
A true champion of the students, Marks believes the goal at CCSJ is to really support and encourage the students.
“Being involved in enrollment, you meet every student that comes through the door,” said Marks. “Seeing them walk across the stage four years later with a degree in their hands is the greatest reward.”
As an alumnus of CCSJ, school pride runs deep with Marks, and this is something he can’t wait to utilize in this new position as director of athletics and enrollment operations to bring the CCSJ experience to the next level.
“This being my alma mater and me being a student-athlete myself, that’s the motivation right there to drive this department forward to where we’re winning and to where the student experience is phenomenal,” said Marks. “It comes naturally to me because I’ve been a part of it for so long myself.” For more information about Calumet College of St. Joseph, visit www.ccsj.edu.