She has worked for 20 years in the social services field in a variety of settings and has experience as a Direct Service Provider, Researcher, Teacher, and Administrator. Her primary areas of interest and expertise include criminal justice, juvenile delinquency, family violence, child welfare, and public policy. She received a bachelor's degree in Sociology/Psychology and a master's degree in Psychology from the State University of West Georgia, and a doctorate in Sociology from Emory University.