We are excited to highlight Meghan Brock, a Millsaps College alumna whose journey exemplifies the power of adaptability, perseverance and the value of a well-rounded education. Meghan’s path from anthropology major to successful business leader reflects the unexpected yet rewarding ways a Millsaps education prepares students for diverse careers.
Meghan graduated from Millsaps in 2005 with a degree in anthropology. After graduation, unsure of what to pursue next, she joined Ming Tsui’s group of sociology/anthropology students who, through Ming’s connections, was able to place Meghan as an English teacher at a university in Wuhan, China. This experience abroad marked the beginning of Meghan’s career journey.
Upon returning to Jackson, Meghan transitioned into a completely different field when she began helping run her father’s aviation maintenance business, Trace Aviation. Despite having no formal business training, Meghan embraced the challenge, learning everything she needed to know about managing a business from the ground up. She reached out to business-major friends to understand essential concepts like writing a business plan, setting up QuickBooks, and managing health insurance and 401K plans—skills that became critical to her success.
Reflecting on her time at Millsaps, Meghan credits her college experience for giving her the confidence and ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations. “Millsaps taught me how to think outside the box, which was essential when I had to take on a completely different career than I had studied,” she explains. The critical thinking skills she developed at Millsaps helped her navigate the challenges of running a business and find solutions to complex problems.
In addition to academic knowledge, Meghan learned the importance of respect for all people, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. In her role managing the business, she interacted with a wide range of people and appreciated how her Millsaps education shaped her ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals from diverse walks of life.
Meghan’s business is now internationally recognized, having grown from just two employees to over 30. She is incredibly proud of her company’s organic growth and its ability to offer quality products to customers around the world. “It’s rewarding to see how far we’ve come, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to build this with my dad,” she shares.
Meghan is passionate about sharing the opportunities in the aviation field with current and recent students, highlighting the variety of roles available, from engineering to business management. Her experience at Millsaps not only prepared her for the academic challenges she faced but also laid the foundation for her successful entrepreneurial career.
She’s also remained actively involved in the Millsaps alumni community, attending events like the Tuesday Dinner Club and reconnecting with classmates during homecoming celebrations. “Millsaps gave me lifelong friendships and a supportive network that I continue to rely on,” Meghan says.