She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College with majors in social work, sociology/anthropology, and race and ethnic studies. As an undergraduate, she interned at La Casa Norte in Chicago where she worked on non-profit development and at an organization in Minnesota where she aided with communications and direct service with youth and adults. She has completed various research projects ranging from understanding the narratives of low-income first-generation college students to exploring the voter turnout in multi-ethnic low-income counties in New Mexico.