Graduation Spotlight: Marine veteran and mother of three earns civil engineering degree

Kim Chaudoin  |  05/18/2025

When Elizabeth Fulton walked across the stage this May to receive her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Lipscomb University, it marked the culmination of a unique journey.

A native of Fontana, California, Fulton enrolled at Lipscomb in fall 2022 and began her pursuit of a civil engineering degree in the university’s Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering. But she was not a typical undergraduate student. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Fulton is a wife and mother of three who entered the program already holding a degree in mathematics. But, she was ready to begin a new chapter that combined her logistical expertise, leadership experience and love for problem-solving into a career that would build a lasting impact.

“I did it for them,” said Fulton, referencing her children. “I wanted a career that I loved and that allowed me to be there as they grew. I also wanted them to see that they could do anything with hard work. No matter what their dreams were, they would make them possible with hard work, dedication and courage.”

In 2007, Fulton enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18, seeking structure and discipline. “What began as a personal challenge quickly became a passion,” she explained. “I found a deep love for the Marine Corps and the work I did.”

Fulton rose through the ranks to a leadership role responsible for planning and executing large-scale movements of personnel and equipment, a role that demanded precision, leadership and adaptability and one in which she said she “thrived.”

She said that of the most rewarding aspects of her service was mentoring the Marines under her charge and “being mentored by the incredible leaders and peers around me. I never lost sight of the reason I joined: to better myself,” shared Fulton.

Shortly after completing her initial training, Fulton enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University. She earned her first degree while on active duty, and later served as a recruiter where she encouraged others to pursue education as a key to future success.

“When I had the opportunity to serve as a recruiter, I made it a point to emphasize the value of education,” said Fulton. “I advised every Marine I enlisted to take advantage of their education benefits even if they weren’t sure what they wanted to study yet. I also encouraged them to choose job fields that would translate into civilian careers because one day, they’d be glad they did.” 

A nagging injury sustained early in her service that eventually required surgery brought her military career to a close. 

“I hoped for a full recovery, but when that wasn’t possible I made the difficult decision to end my 10-year military career,” she recalled. “Thankfully, I had earned a degree in mathematics, and I chose to apply that knowledge and discipline to a new mission: teaching.”

Fulton’s husband was also serving in the military. After he transitioned out, the Fultons decided to move to Tennessee. 

“I had family in Ashland City, and some of my fondest childhood memories were from visiting them. I wanted that same sense of warmth, familiarity and community for our children,” she explained. “With the move came a major decision, should I return to school to continue my journey as a teacher or go back into the logistics work I had done in the military, this time in the civilian world?”

“My husband had plans to go back to school, so I chose to return to logistics and accepted a position as a logistics manager at a medical lab in Nashville. That role reminded me just how much I loved logistics … especially the challenge of finding solutions when things seemed nearly impossible. I thrived on analyzing problems from every angle, helping my team deliver quality service in a way that aligned with the company’s goals.”

But after three years, the long hours and constant travel began taking a toll on family life and Fulton made a pivotal decision.

“I began researching a new career path, one that would combine the problem-solving and relationship-building I loved in logistics with the mentorship and the tight-knit teamwork I experienced in both teaching and the Marine Corps,” she said. “That search led me to engineering. Civil engineering, in particular, felt like the perfect fit. I loved the idea of working on projects that affected the very land we live on, where every challenge was unique and every detail mattered. It sparked something in me.”

The search ultimately led her to Lipscomb University.

“What initially drew me in were the smaller class sizes and the promise of a more personal, meaningful academic experience,” Fulton said. “But I had no idea just how impactful it would be. From my very first class, I could tell the professors truly cared. I had never encountered faculty so invested in their students’ success. I genuinely don’t think I could have made it this far without them. Looking back, I believe it was meant to be part of my path.”

Despite the rigors of the program all while raising two young children and expecting a third, Fulton became a highly engaged member of the engineering community. She served as project manager for her senior design team, participated in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and traveled to a regional conference as part of the ASCE survey team.

In spring 2023, she joined an engineering mission trip to Honduras through Lipscomb’s Peugeot Center for Engineering Service in Developing Communities and its partnership with Predisan to help build a bridge for a remote community — while pregnant with her third child.

“The mission trip was something I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to do. Traveling to Honduras to help physically build a bridge was incredible, not just because of the project itself but because of the people I met there,” said Fulton. “Watching the bridge come together was rewarding, but it wasn’t the most impactful part of the trip. The real impact came from the community. I’ve always believed that you can change the world one person at a time, and that trip showed me just how true that is. I never expected that I would be the one changed … by the kindness and strength of the people in a small village halfway across the world.” 

“The bridge we built was vital — it would allow children and the sick to reach school and medical care during the rainy season. What we were doing mattered, and I was proud to help,” she continued. “But the way the people welcomed us, the way they touched my heart, that’s what I’ll never forget.”

That spring Fulton spent Mother’s Day in the Honduran village. Though she was a mother, she was not a mother in their community. But they invited her to their celebration anyway. 

“Each person came up to hug me and share love with me, a stranger. I had never experienced this kind of love from people who didn’t know me,” Fulton reflected. “That moment will stay with me for the rest of my life. Since then, I’ve carried their kindness with me, and I try to offer that same love to others, especially to strangers, whenever I can.”

Fulton gave birth to her daughter during the fall 2023 semester and continued her studies, ultimately passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, the first major step toward earning her Professional Engineering license.

“God blessed us with a beautiful, spunky little girl and Lipscomb was the only place I would have ever been able to have both —  a beautiful family and a dream that was achievable,” she said. 

Her Lipscomb journey has not only equipped her for a new profession but also deepened her faith.

Lipscomb has helped me a lot on my faith journey. I did not follow Christianity until much later in my life. I saw hypocrisy in many of the Christians I encountered,” said Fulton. “It was Lipscomb that truly let me see that being a Christian is about love and forgiveness. It has also allowed me to understand other perspectives on faith and better understand the Bible and what it actually says.” 

While a student, Fulton worked part-time at Gresham Smith in Nashville and will transition to full-time employment following graduation in the firm’s Land Development department. Her long-term goals include becoming a team leader, mentoring others and continuing to build strong foundations — both literally and figuratively.

“I hope mentorship and helping people stays a large focus in my career,” she said. “Lipscomb not only prepared me for a meaningful new career — it reminded me that I’m still here to help others, just in a different way than before.”

Learn more about the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering