Lindsay Box, executive officer of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Permanent Fund, is taking lifelong learning to the next level.
While earning Boise State University’s Online Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing leadership, Box was working toward another master’s degree in communication management from USC.
“It was a lot to juggle, but it shows that you can work on this program, have a full-time position and be an involved working mom with busy kids,” she said. “This MBA is achievable.”
After graduating with the latter in August 2024 and the former in May 2025, Box is enrolled in Texas A&M University’s Master of Legal Studies with a focus on Indigenous People’s Law and Policy and Energy Law, which she is on track to finish in August 2026. That makes three master’s degrees in three years.
“My nature is, ‘Give me all you got. Let me take it and soak it in. Let me learn it. Quiz me. Then, I move on to the next thing,’” she said. “That’s how I approach life and my work. That style — the flexibility and asynchronous curriculum — allowed me to flex my schedule when I was really busy at work.”
Box, who also serves on multiple boards, chose Boise State’s Online MBA after taking a role with her tribe’s Council Affairs. The role opened a world to policy, legislation, business, healthcare, governance and administration.
“It completely blew my world up,” she said. “That’s where I found my passion and love for business because I see the tangible results that it can provide, capital-wise, to fund our government operations — healthcare, education, youth services.
“That’s the model behind what our Southern Ute Growth Fund is doing. It’s to provide into perpetuity for our people. I took the seat on the Growth Fund Management Committee and dove in head-first. When I took the position at the Growth Fund as an employee, I missed the work, so I thought pursuing my MBA would be a way to get this passion and those interests fulfilled.”
Family affair
Box was born and raised on the reservation where she still lives and works. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in American Indian and Native American studies and Sociology-Criminology from Fort Lewis College in 2010. She enrolled at Boise State 13 years later.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my husband, Arnulfo Pardo, and my 17-year-old son, Tavian Box, because they were so helpful with my little one, Kiko Pardo (6),” she said.
“I had my son during my sophomore year of my undergraduate. I say we earned that degree together and, in a way, we earned this one together, too. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.”
Box gravitated toward a career in communications after growing up with a father who is an artist and a mother who worked in law enforcement communications.
“I have always loved writing,” she said. “Being able to blend writing with graphic design and communicating to my community is one of my great passions, which is why I pursued the MBA and the marketing emphasis. I wanted to communicate to multiple audiences in a way that is most meaningful to them.”
Box’s favorite course in the Online MBA curriculum was Managerial Accounting, taught by Rachel Brower.
“I would have never guessed I would have loved that class,” she said. “It was a struggle. I had to put my thinking cap on, but the professor made it engaging.
“I liked her different approach to group discussions. The discussion posts are my least favorite thing, but her approach to discussions made me look forward to completing the weekly posts. She made it appealing, interesting, and applicable.”
The information Box learned throughout the program was useful to the duties of her executive leadership position.
“It is 100% applicable,” she said. “My role is largely personnel, finding solutions and opportunities, budgets, getting people moving in the same direction, and putting out fires, so having this experience and that course was extremely helpful.
“Another difficult course was Operations and Supply Chain Management, but applying that approach to resolving problems for greater efficiency and performance suited me well. Taking the approach of how to quantify the performance of those efforts has also been extremely valuable. That’s what it’s about — finding efficiency.”
Never stop learning
Box has no plans to slow down her higher education resurgence anytime soon. She is proud of her accomplishments and what they mean to her family and community.
“I felt a lot of it a couple of weeks ago when the tribe recognized our students,” she said. “Even though I am in this position, I don’t like being front and center, so I was conflicted about whether to attend or not.
“But the most rewarding part of the recognition is demonstrating to young tribal students that this is something they can do. I want to be an example of that. Having a dream is a starting point, and we can work on providing the necessary support. There is a lot of support in our community to ensure success.”
With two master’s degrees under her belt and a third one in the works, Box hopes to continue working toward her overall mission.
“One of the greatest things about being Native is living with the perspective that what I achieve can be applied to advance my people,” she said. “That’s the goal: How can I be a good role model to my boys and my people while benefitting Indian Country as a whole?”
Box is also living proof that no matter how busy life can get, earning an online degree can be done.
“I would tell anyone considering an MBA from Boise State to just do it, without hesitation,” she said. “If you have any sort of interest, just do it. There are resources around to help you. Take your time.
“It has been one of the most rewarding periods of my life, being able to go back to school and re-stimulate my brain. The program challenged me to think of and apply different approaches to find solutions. Investing in your education and strengthening your knowledge is the greatest investment you can make for yourself and your community — to strive for something greater.”
Learn more about the Online MBA
Earning an Online Master of Business Administration from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.