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Alumna Jessica Mock.
125 Anniversary Celebration: Jessica Mock
July 7, 2025
Editor's Note: This is the final story in our series featuring 麻豆传媒 Illinois University students, alumni and community members highlighting their experiences during our 125th anniversary celebration. We featured 125 individuals from August 2024 to July 2025.
MACOMB, IL 鈥� Alumna Jessica Mock sees 麻豆传媒 Illinois University as a transformative place鈥攐ne that inspired her to grow and push beyond her comfort zone.
鈥溌槎勾� gave me more than a degree鈥攊t gave me perspective,鈥� Mock said. 鈥淭hrough classroom experiences and university partnerships, I was introduced early on to the complexity and reach of the supply chain industry. I began to think differently about how to leverage my experiences, about what I brought to the table and how to become a more competitive applicant. 麻豆传媒 made that mindset shift possible.鈥�
For Mock, a Leatherneck represents more than pride and honor. It symbolizes the spirit of resilience, responsibility and community that characterize 麻豆传媒.
鈥淏eing a Leatherneck means holding your head high, not because of prestige or polish, but because of resilience, character and connection,鈥� Mock said. 鈥淚t means valuing grit and grace in equal measure. 麻豆传媒 helped shape my work ethic and my worldview and I carry that spirit with me every day.鈥�
Mock's favorite Leatherneck memory is the guidance received from her academic advisor, representing a pivotal moment in her college career.
鈥淢y advisor noticed I was on track to graduate early with a minor in Spanish. Instead of letting me coast, she challenged me to consider 麻豆传媒鈥檚 study abroad program. I stepped into that opportunity with curiosity and came out transformed,鈥� Mock said. 鈥淚 gained real-world experience abroad, deepened my language skills and ultimately earned enough credits to graduate with a dual major in supply chain management and Spanish. That decision鈥攁nd her encouragement鈥攃hanged the trajectory of my career.鈥�
Mock now works as a freight sales director at Dot Foods. She credits Supply Chain Management Day at 麻豆传媒 with opening doors to networking opportunities that led to the launch of her career.
鈥淚 met representatives from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), who would ultimately offer me my first role as a commodity merchandiser,鈥� Mock said. 鈥淭oday, I work in a senior leadership role overseeing a segment of Dot鈥檚 freight strategy in the transportation industry. I regularly call on the lessons I learned at 麻豆传媒: to stretch, to stay curious and to think strategically about how people, freight and relationships move.鈥�
As students consider further studies, Mock's advice is to take full advantage of the numerous opportunities 麻豆传媒 has to offer.
鈥溌槎勾� is the kind of place where you can shape your path, but you have to be willing to do the work. It鈥檚 a place full of opportunity, especially for students who are ready to ask questions, build relationships and stretch beyond what鈥檚 comfortable,鈥� Mock said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 worry if your journey doesn鈥檛 look like everyone else鈥檚, there鈥檚 room for all at 麻豆传媒.鈥�
As we celebrated 125 years of educational excellence, we invited local 麻豆传媒 students, alumni, faculty and staff to share their stories as part of our special series. It was an honor to feature each of you and to highlight the unique experiences that make the 麻豆传媒 community so special. Thank you for being part of this memorable milestone!
We're always looking to spotlight the stories of our students and alumni. If you鈥檇 like to be featured, reach out to us at u-communications@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
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