Brett received her undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi in Political Science and History in 1989.  In 1996, she was awarded her Masters of Arts in History from Mississippi State University. Since then, she has worked as a professor of history at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia and in Grants Management and Research Integrity at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.  In 2001, Brett completed post-graduate training in historical archaeology and historic preservation at the University of the West Indies, Barbados where she lived and worked.  She served as a professional archaeologist on projects in Barbados, Florida, and South Carolina from 2001-2005.   

 

Born in Natchez, she returned in 2005 to serve as the Grants Coordinator for the City of Natchez, and now also serves as the city's designated Cultural Resource Director.  Active in the community, Brett served as Secretary for the Great River Road Food Festival committee for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, and has served on the board of the Natchez Downtown Development Association since 2005.  In January of 2007, she was elected Chairman of the Natchez/Adams County Community Alliance.  She is also an executive committee member of the Natchez Trails Project.  She currently serves as an adjunct professor Copiah Lincoln Community College where she teaches both history and art appreciation courses. Brett is a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, currently serving on the Publicity Committee.  She belongs to several professional organizations including the Southern Association of Women Historians, the Society of British Historians, and Phi Alpha Theta.  Brett is a member of St. Mary’s Basilica in Natchez.