GREENEVILLE – When Elizabeth Tarlton walks across the stage Saturday, May 9, to receive her Master of Business Administration from Tusculum University, it will be a major achievement not just because of her additional knowledge but also due to her perseverance through a major health issue.
Elizabeth Tarlton takes a photo at Virginia Hall on campus. Photo by Hannah Vaughn
“I was dealing with severe health complications, including leaky gut syndrome and a neurological condition that left me paralyzed for over a year,” she said. “During that time, I was wheelchair-bound and completely dependent on others for things I had always taken for granted. It changed every part of my life. Physically, it was exhausting. Mentally and emotionally, it pushed me to places I had never been before.”
Tarlton had days filled with uncertainty, pain and questions about her future.
“But that season also became one of the most defining in my life,” she said. “It strengthened my faith, taught me patience and revealed a resilience in me that I did not know existed. I had to fight for every bit of progress. Today, I am walking again. That alone is something I will never take for granted. What I went through did not break me. It built me, and it gave me a renewed sense of purpose and determination. I carried that strength with me into my master’s program, knowing that if I could overcome that season, I could overcome anything. Through it all, I give all glory to God, because it was my faith in Him that carried me through every season.”
Why Tusculum was a good fit
Before the downturn in her health, Tarlton received a bachelor’s in business administration, with a major in management, from Tusculum in 2023. Tarlton said Tusculum has been a great choice for her studies.
“Choosing Tusculum wasn’t just about getting a degree for me,” said Tarlton, a patient service representative at State of Franklin Healthcare Associates. “It was about finding a place that fit my life and believed in people like me. As a working wife and mom, I needed something that was flexible but still meaningful. Tusculum gave me the opportunity to pursue my bachelor’s in business administration with a major in management while balancing a full-time job and raising my family. The structure of the program allowed me to keep going even when life felt overwhelming. But what really made the difference was the support.
“When it came time to continue into my Master of Business Administration, the choice was easy. Tusculum had already proven to me that they didn’t just care about academics. They cared about the person behind the degree.”
Support from a federal program at the university
Tarlton, who lives in Chuckey, is a first-generation student, meaning her parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree. When she was an undergraduate, that status qualified her for ARCHES, a federal TRIO grant program at Tusculum that provided valuable support to working adults who were pursuing their bachelor’s degree. She did not know how to work her way through the higher education landscape, and ARCHES gave her the tools to succeed.
Elizabeth Tarlton poses on campus in her cap and gown. Photo by Hannah Vaughn
She said ARCHES helped her grow in confidence, find her voice and believe she deserved to be in the classroom and cross the graduation stage.
“My mentor, Rachael Barnett, was hands down my hype woman,” Tarlton said. “She believed in me even in moments when I doubted myself. She pushed me, encouraged me and reminded me of what I was capable of. Sometimes all it takes is one person in your corner, and she was that for me.”
That program for working adults still exists as part of Student Support Services, another TRIO federal grant program.
“ARCHES and SSS have mattered a great deal because they have changed lives,” said Dr. David Smith, executive director of Tusculum’s TRIO programs. “We are pleased to have played a role in Elizabeth’s development but commend her as well for her spirit and desire to make a difference. TRIO works because it provides opportunity to people who can make the most of it and succeed in ways they might not otherwise.”
Growing her skills
Even though her coursework with Tusculum has been online, Tarlton has developed lasting relationships with her classmates. She said they helped each other through assignments, deadlines and life. The university has also helped her tremendously.
“Tusculum gave me the structure and support to keep going when it would have been easy to stop,” Tarlton said. “Professionally, it equipped me with the knowledge and skills to step into leadership roles with confidence. It strengthened my critical thinking, communication and decision-making abilities. More importantly, it taught me how to apply those skills in real-world situations, whether that was in health care, leadership or business settings.”
Tarlton said Tusculum also helped her see that her story has purpose.
“Everything I have walked through, both personally and professionally, can be used to connect with others, lead with empathy and make an impact,” she said. “Tusculum did not just prepare me for a career. It transformed how I see myself, how I show up in the world and what I know I am capable of accomplishing.”
Since 2007, Tarlton has been married to her husband Johnny, who works at Parker Hannifin as a forklift driver. They have two children, Hunter and Harleigh. She said her family has always been her reason for all of her actions. She said she wanted her children to recognize that no matter where one starts, a person can finish strong. It was important to her that they know hard work and perseverance matter.
Tarlton’s career path
Earlier in her career, Tarlton served for more than 10 years as a disability paralegal, where she advocated for individuals who had to navigate the Social Security system. She has also worked for ForwardAir as a customer account specialist. Additionally, she has worked in several patient-facing roles in health care, such as financial counseling, front-desk coordination and optician support.
Elizabeth Tarlton stands at the Tusculum Arch. Photo by Hannah Vaughn
Tarlton’s leadership roles include serving as program coordinator with WestCare, where she worked on a grant-funded program that supported veterans. She was a direct support program supervisor with Sevita, where she helped oversee care for people with intellectual disabilities. She owned and operated her own residential cleaning business for several years.
She plans to use her MBA to step into leadership roles where she can meaningfully influence organizations and the people they serve.
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, said Tarlton’s story is inspiring.
“We are extraordinarily proud of Elizabeth and everything she has achieved,” he said. “She did not let obstacles stop her. Instead, she used them as stepping stones. That kind of resolve has served her well in her studies and will enable her to succeed in her career and to tackle any challenge she will face. Her perseverance is an important lesson for others to emulate, and the support she received at Tusculum is powerful evidence of our caring Christian environment.”
Urging others to move forward with college
Tarlton encourages working adults to take the plunge, go to college and study at Tusculum – and to proceed even if it is the not the perfect time.
“Tusculum University is built for people like us – people who work full time, who have families and who are juggling a lot but still want more for their future,” Tarlton said. “The flexibility of the program makes it possible, but more importantly, the support makes it sustainable. It won’t be easy., but it will be worth it. You are not just earning a degree, you are setting an example for your children. You are showing them what perseverance, discipline and commitment look like in real life. You will also grow in ways you don’t expect. You will gain confidence, build relationships and realize you are capable of more than you ever thought.”
Tusculum’s graduation will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in Pioneer Arena.
Additional information about SSS is available at https://site.tusculum.edu/student-success/academic-affairs/first-gen/sss/. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.