Marcus Washington

Tutor Success Manager, Paper Technology

Native of Crozet, VA

Industry: Educational Technology

Marcus Washington moved to Salisbury four years ago to work at Catawba College as Director of Housing and Residence Life.  A recent career move into educational technology with Paper, a Montreal-based company, allows him to work remotely. As a manager with Paper, he supports tutors for K-12 students throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“I could live anywhere,” he says of his position with Paper. His family came to Salisbury from Center Valley, PA, and had also lived in Charlottesville, VA. “We looked at different states and other areas of North Carolina, but we kept coming back to this area,” he says. “We decided to stay here because of the community. We have a great community of friends and support and didn’t want to leave. This place is special because it’s a community that will love you, embrace you and accept you. There are no strangers here. Our son loves Isenberg School. We decided that this is a great place to raise our children.”

Marcus and his wife, Lydia, have three young children – Gabriel, 6; Lauren, 4; and Ezekiel, 2. 

Welcoming

“Rowan County has been very welcoming to my family,” he says. “People embraced us and wanted to help us feel at home. We quickly established friendships and are very comfortable with the small-town feel, with a lot to offer. People here embrace you, no matter who you are.”

His children love Bell Tower Green Park so it has become the Washingtons favorite outdoor space. “They ask almost daily to go there,” he says. The park has brought the community together. “It’s diverse and you see people from all walks of life. We always see friends from the community.”

His favorite restaurant is Osaka’s for its Asian cuisine. “I love the hospitality and they treat us well.” 

The Cheerwine Festival tops his list of favorite events. “It’s a great time to be out and about to celebrate the local beverage.” The popular soft drink originated in Salisbury more than 100 years ago. He also likes the Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols, which is a Catawba College gift to the community each December, visits to the Farmer’s Market and supporting the many different local businesses.

For newcomers, he would advise a walk through downtown Salisbury. “Look at the historic buildings,” he says. “They tell a great story. It’s like a step back in time. Salisbury has done a great job of preservation. It gives you a great feel for where you are.” 

Making an Impact

He appreciates “the opportunity to live in a small community that has had such an impact on the history of the South. The entire South is a better place to live because of Rowan County and the incredible people who have lived here since the 1700s,” he says.

He sees Salisbury-Rowan as a unique place that fits the county slogan, Be an Original.™ “Rowan County is not like any place else,” he says. “This county does not try to emulate other counties because we are original. We have Rowan County pride, there’s great heritage here, and this county is a model for others to follow. We will continue to be like our ancestors before us and continue to build our wonderful county for future Rowan County residents.”

He loves life in the South and the location of Rowan County with its close-knit communities and great restaurants, in particular.  “Although Rowan County has everything that I need, I can easily get to places such as Charlotte, Raleigh, or Greensboro and then return home to my quintessential Southern community. Rowan County has been great for me and my wife’s career and my children love it here.”