TAMU-CC Outstanding Graduate Megan Dodd Keeps Her Eye on the Goal in Soccer, Management, Finance
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – In the sporting world, Islander Megan Dodd might be described as a “triple threat,” but her achievements include not only success in sports, but success in the study of management and finance.
As the Spring 2021 Outstanding Graduate from the College of Business at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Dodd is double-majoring in management and finance as well as completing four years as a member of Islanders Women’s Soccer.
Those successes, as well as some unexpected benefits, have convinced Dodd that she made the right decision to attend the Island University.
“Being so far from home (Phoenix) was a difficult decision to make but experiencing the sense of community and diversity at the Island University made me feel comfortable that this was going to be my new home,” she said.
Soon after she arrived, Dodd realized that while having a background in business can be important no matter what career a person chooses, not enough women were choosing that path.
“I double-majored in management and finance to be able to use my analytic and math skills in a business environment,” she said. “I also have come to learn that women are underrepresented in most areas of finance and I hope to help change that through my success and eventually my ability to mentor others.”
A highlight of her business education was a summer internship. She helped develop a start-up with a local entrepreneur.
“My roles consisted of research into a niche market, developing a specific pricing model, and working with a team to work out unforeseen issues before the launch of the start-up,” Dodd said. She feels that experience will help shape how she approaches the next stage of her life.
“My goal is to work my way up to the executive level in finance within a medium to large organization,” she said. “I also aim to be successful enough in my career to be able to give back to the places that helped me achieve my goals, such as Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. I plan to make my family proud by creating a legacy in the business community. I also want to empower women to achieve their goals and break barriers.”
That sense of vision, commitment and persistence has impressed Dodd’s athletic academic adviser since 2018, Rachel Rodriguez.
“Megan was very reserved at first, but don’t let her quiet and shy demeanor fool you,” Rodriguez said. “Even though she may not say much, she was always taking it all in and analyzing and evaluating everything around her in order to become a better version of herself. I have seen her blossom into an amazing young woman, and I am so proud of all that she has accomplished.”
Dodd has served as a representative and board member on the TAMU-CC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as a volunteer in organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House and the Coastal Bend Food Bank.
“Megan is the epitome of what it means to be an Islander,” Rodriguez said. “She has become a leader among her peers in and out of the classroom. She leads by example, and does things the right way!”
Rodriguez said Dodd, who holds a 3.92 GPA, has faced adversity during her time as an Islander, but did not let it deter her from reaching her goals.
“She had a season-ending injury in fall 2019 but made it a point to lead from the sidelines, recover, and come back even stronger,” Rodriguez said.
During her junior year, Dodd appeared in 12 matches making 12 starts, playing every minute for the Islanders before her injury.
In 2021, Dodd was part of a defense that shut out five opponents. Dodd played in all 17 games and logged 561 minutes. She fired shots on goal in conference games against Lamar University and Stephen F. Austin State University. Dodd made four starts on the year, including the final regular season game against Houston Baptist University, which helped clinch a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament.
“Megan has always looked for opportunities to do more and be more. Despite her athletic and academic obligations, she made it a point to get real-world experience in the business field during the summer and even throughout the academic semester,” Rodriguez said.
Dodd said being on the soccer team has been a much more enriching experience than she anticipated.
“I have learned about teamwork and how to manage a busy schedule,” she said. “It has taught me to enjoy every moment and to adapt when problems arise. Overall, playing a sport at a competitive level has adjusted me for the workforce and for becoming a successful businesswoman.”
Looking back on her decision to attend A&M-Corpus Christi, Dodd knows she made the right choice.
“My best memory as an Islander was meeting all the unique people on this campus who make up the Island University,” she said. “I have made lifelong friends and family here and there are so many people who have impacted my life in ways that they may not imagine.”
