When Karen Fulton joined the University of Nebraska in 1976, "wireless" meant someone forgot to plug something in. After starting in the Registration and Records Office at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, she joined the UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ) in 1978, where she has spent the past 48 years of her 50-year University of Nebraska career.
There were no computers. No internet. No email. And registering for classes? That required students to physically stand in a line that stretched from the Administration Building all the way to the fountain outside the Nebraska Union.
Her office toolkit looked a little different, too: a typewriter, white-out, a mimeograph machine, and an adding machine. Later came a “memory typewriter” with built-in correction tape, a major technological breakthrough in Karen’s book, followed eventually by an Apple II computer with floppy disks.
“Imagine if you can, no computers and no internet!” Fulton said with a laugh.
Fifty years later, Karen is still with the SCCJ now serving as Director of Advising and she has become something of a campus legend along the way.
“She has been the heart and soul, the unwavering foundation of the department on the Lincoln campus for decades,” said Dr. Chris Eskridge, who has worked alongside Karen for nearly 50 years. “I cannot imagine the department without her.”
Karen’s journey began while she was still an undergraduate student working in the criminal justice program. What started as a student job turned into a five-decade career built around one thing: helping students succeed.
Over the years, she has held just about every role imaginable including clerk typist, secretary, administrative coordinator, internship coordinator, assistant director, adviser, mentor, problem solver, unofficial historian, and, according to coworkers, the person who always knows the answer.
“She is the go-to person when questions come up,” said Trisha Rhodes, Ph.D., former undergraduate program coordinator for SCCJ. “Karen leads with grace, wisdom, and a genuine commitment to students.”
Karen has advised students since 1987, helping thousands navigate college life one class schedule, career conversation, and graduation application at a time. At this point, she’s even advised the children of former students.
