Hometown: Snellville, Georgia
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
Former high-school teacher turned MBA student who loves her family, her dog, traveling, and reading.
Who most influenced your decision to pursue your MBA?
The MBA students were the biggest influence on my decision. When I started working at Scheller in 2022 as the director of MBA admissions and operations, I had already been accepted into a different master’s program at my alma mater (a certain school whose main color is red). I was excited but also nervous, new-job jitters mixed with the uncertainty of transitioning into a business school environment.
From day one, the Scheller community was incredibly welcoming. Within six months, I made the decision to walk away from my original plan and apply for the Evening MBA. Scheller is a truly special place where people feel respected, inspired, and uplifted, and I wanted to experience that same energy in the classroom as I continued to expand my network.
What was your favorite business course and why?
Emerging Technology quickly emerged as my favorite class (pun intended). We explored everything from AI to 3D-printed homes to lab-grown meats. Professor Eric Overby's expertise is impressive, and the framework we learned for evaluating the opportunities and challenges of a new or emerging technology is something I know I'll carry with me throughout my career.
What advice would you give to an incoming Evening MBA student?
"Know thyself." There are so many incredible opportunities within the Evening MBA program, but not every opportunity is meant for every student. It's easy to get swept up in what others are doing or get overwhelmed by the competing demands of work, family, friends, and school. Coming in with a good understanding of what you want out of the program makes it much easier to focus your time on the experiences that align with your goals.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
Because I work at Scheller, I was involved on campus from a staff perspective, so I had to intentionally carve out time to be a student. I would show up to an event with my student nametag on and joke with colleagues, "I'm student Megan today."
I feel fortunate to have strong connections all across Scheller, and I know that network will continue for years. While I was a less-than-active member of student clubs on campus, my MBA experience strengthened my appreciation for community-building, and I made a point to attend signature events like Scheller Soiree, the Crawfish Boil, Homecoming Kickoff, tailgates, and happy hours at Cypress.
What’s been your favorite memory so far at Scheller?
Attending Scheller Soirée during my first year in the Evening MBA stands out as my favorite memory. I was at the Fox Theatre surrounded by the MBA students who originally inspired me to pursue the degree, the students I had helped recruit and admit, my new classmates and friends, and my hot date (my husband), who was meeting many of my new favorite people for the first time. It felt like all parts of my life converging and adult prom all at the same time.
Where will you be working after graduation?
I'll be right here at Scheller! I love what I do and pursued my MBA to become even better at it. Doing the MBA has helped me better talk to prospective students, offer thoughtful guidance, and support our community. I'm excited to keep building on that foundation in this next chapter.
What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?
I'm going to Disney World! I haven't been since childhood, and I'm excited to experience the magic of Disney again, this time through my niece's eyes. My other travel plans may be on pause for this family vacation, but eating (and drinking) around the world at Epcot feels like a good consolation.
Who would you like to thank most for your success?
There is no way that I could have done this without my support system, especially my husband Michael and my parents. Michael kept our house running and our dog walked during my commutes from Marietta to Midtown for work and school. He kept me caffeinated for late-night study sessions and fed for those precious ten minutes I had between work and class. Most importantly, he helped me avoid imposter syndrome by being my biggest hype man. My parents were also instrumental in keeping me sane, offering advice on how to balance it all and lending an ear when final exams and work's busy periods conflicted.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
For five years, I taught at the high school that I graduated from. Yes, some of my former teachers were still faculty, and I even supervised a few of them as the 11th-grade language arts team lead.
What are the top two items on your bucket list?
I would like to visit every continent other than Antarctica (though I'm not ruling it out). Africa and Australia are still on the list. I'd also love to become fluent in a second language because, how have I not done that yet?
Who is your favorite business professor?
I'm glad to have this on record so Professor Alex Oettl will finally believe me! Coming from a non-corporate background, I loved how he pushed us to examine every angle of a business problem and think critically about what actually drives success. Professor Oettl has a knack for encouraging students while simultaneously cutting through the "so-what" moments in discussion.
What's your favorite place you've traveled to, and why?
Edinburgh, Scotland. Somehow, it always feels like going home. The history is immense, the city is stunning, and the people are kind. I'm drawn back again and again.
Favorite family tradition:
We're that corny, big family that sings Christmas carols around a piano. My brother is a classically trained pianist, so this can go on for hours. Over time it's evolved into side performances, like a talent show. And while I'm not sure where this part of the tradition began, we always end the night with a non-Christmas finale of "Come Sail Away" by Styx.
What is your latest book recommendation?
“Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett was extraordinary! Her gift for imagery and character development is unmatched, and the story was beautiful. Though I read it, I hear the audiobook narrated by Meryl Streep is fantastic.
