Lisbeth Fajardo León, a graduate of the Logistics and Transportation Engineering program at ESPOL’s Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FCNM), was awarded the Gold Medal as the Outstanding Graduate of ESPOL’s 38th Graduating Class. Behind this distinction lies a story of determination, learning, and perseverance that began long before she walked across the commencement stage.
“The beginning of everything I’m capable of achieving.” That is how Lisbeth Fajardo León describes her journey at Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL). For her, being recognized as the Outstanding Graduate of the University’s 38th Graduating Class, in addition to receiving honors as the Outstanding Graduate of both the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FCNM) and the Logistics and Transportation Engineering program, is not the end of a journey but the beginning of a new chapter.
However, her story did not begin with a medal—it began with a question many young people ask themselves after graduating from high school: What do I want to study?
Accompanied by her father, she visited several universities in Guayaquil in search of an answer. She knew she wanted to pursue an engineering degree because she had always enjoyed mathematics, but she had not yet found a profession that truly resonated with her. One memory from her visit to ESPOL has stayed with her ever since: the sound of the wind rustling through the trees on campus, a sense of peace that would later accompany her even during the most demanding moments of university life.
The answer came through a conversation with a former high school classmate who was studying Logistics and Transportation Engineering. Soon afterward, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisbeth witnessed the critical role logistics played in keeping businesses and essential services running. That experience helped her understand the impact the profession has on everyday life.
As she came to appreciate the role logistics plays in the success of organizations and in connecting people, goods, and services, Lisbeth realized she had found the path she had been looking for.
“I realized that every business needs to move goods or people from one place to another. That’s when I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue. Today, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions of my life,” she recalled.
When she learned that she had been named ESPOL’s Outstanding Graduate, the news came as a complete surprise.
“I felt incredibly grateful and proud. I never imagined I would be selected as the Outstanding Graduate of my graduating class. What I value most is having had the opportunity to represent a generation with whom I shared laughter, challenges, and countless late nights studying. I’m truly honored to have left my mark on my alma mater,” she said.
According to Dr. Carlos Aníbal, coordinator of the Logistics and Transportation Engineering program, Lisbeth’s achievement is a source of pride for the entire academic community because it reflects not only her outstanding academic performance but also the personal qualities she demonstrated throughout her education.
“Lisbeth distinguished herself through her discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. Her curiosity motivated her to explore topics in greater depth, ask thoughtful questions, and seek new perspectives for solving problems. She approached every challenge with a positive attitude, dedication, and remarkable determination, turning each obstacle into an opportunity for growth. I am confident these qualities will continue to guide her and enable her to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of logistics in Ecuador,” he said.
A Lesson That Changed the Way She Learned
Although Lisbeth had always achieved strong academic results, one of the moments she remembers most took place during ESPOL’s preparatory program. After studying intensively for a mathematics exam, she received a grade that fell far short of her expectations.
The disappointment did not last long. A group of classmates invited her to study with them, and from that moment on, afternoons after class became opportunities to solve problems together, exchange ideas, and face the challenges of each semester as a team.
That experience transformed the way she approached academic challenges and strengthened the sense of community she found at the University.
“The greatest lesson I learned at ESPOL was that asking for help is also part of the learning process. One of the things I value most is the sense of community we share when it comes to helping one another succeed without leaving anyone behind,” she said.
During her time at FCNM, she also fondly recalls taking Discrete Mathematics with Professor Margarita Martínez, a course that strengthened her critical thinking and reinforced the idea that learning can be both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Learning to Keep Building
For Lisbeth, academic excellence is not achieved by studying only before exams. Consistency, continuous practice, and the support of professors and teaching assistants made all the difference throughout her academic journey.
Reflecting on the support she received, Lisbeth credits her family as one of the greatest influences on her success.
“My parents were by my side every step of the way—with words of encouragement, a hug, or small gestures that meant so much. They taught me just how persistent I could be. And my friends made every challenge an experience filled with great memories,” she shared.
Today, Lisbeth works as a Raw Materials Analyst at Unilever, where she is involved in supply logistics processes. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing professionally and pursue a master’s degree abroad, driven by her desire to keep learning and explore new opportunities.
To students just beginning their university journey, she offers simple but meaningful advice: manage your time wisely, surround yourself with people who inspire your growth, and never shy away from difficult challenges.
“Don’t avoid demanding professors or difficult situations. Those experiences are the ones that reveal what we are truly capable of,” she said.
A few years ago, Lisbeth walked through ESPOL’s Gustavo Galindo Campus alongside her father, never imagining that it would one day become the place where she would receive the University's highest academic distinction. The sound of the wind rustling through the trees—which once brought her a sense of calm as she searched for her future—now reminds her of everything she has accomplished along the way.
Between those two moments came countless hours of studying, the unwavering support of family and friends, lessons shared by professors and classmates, and the certainty that great achievements are built one step at a time. That is why, when she looks to the future, the Gold Medal does not represent the end of a chapter, but the beginning of new challenges. Because, as she so simply puts it, her time at ESPOL was…
“The beginning of everything I’m capable of achieving”.
