Eric Wright

Prior to beginning my master's program, I developed a diverse background that combined military leadership with technical engineering education and hands-on civil engineering experience.

I served for nearly 17 years in the United States Marine Corps as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, ultimately retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. Throughout my military career, I led highly specialized technical teams in domestic and overseas operations, managed multi-million-dollar equipment inventories, developed and delivered more than 1,500 hours of formal technical instruction, and ensured compliance with Department of Defense safety regulations. My responsibilities included supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, providing security support for senior U.S. government officials, coordinating multinational training exercises, developing technical curriculum, and supervising the safe handling and disposal of thousands of explosive hazards. These experiences strengthened my leadership, decision-making, risk management, and project management skills in complex, high-consequence environments.

While completing my undergraduate degree in civil engineering, I gained practical experience applying engineering principles to municipal infrastructure projects involving water, wastewater, reclaimed water, transportation, and utility systems. My work included utility design, roadway and utility coordination, site development, existing utility research, pipe network development, and the application of engineering design standards for public infrastructure projects. Through these experiences, I developed proficiency with industry-standard engineering software including: Civil 3D, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, ArcGIS Pro, OpenRoads Designer, EPANET, and MicroStation. I have also performed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, terrain development, floodplain modeling, and utility design while strengthening my understanding of municipal engineering practices.

The combination of military leadership and technical engineering experience has provided me with a disciplined approach to problem-solving, effective communication skills, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in challenging environments. These experiences have prepared me to succeed in graduate-level coursework while contributing practical leadership and real-world engineering perspectives to the classroom.