Brown received her B.S. from the University of West Alabama in December 2000. She continued her education at the University of Tennessee, receiving her M.A. in 2003 and completing her doctorate in 2009. Brown has taught for the University of Tennessee's History and Honors Departments. She also taught courses at several East Tennessee institutions including Maryville College and Lincoln Memorial University. Brown also had the pleasure of working for the University of Tennessee's Center for the Study of War and Society. A non-profit organization founded in 1984, CSWS was responsible for interviewing and recording the experiences of World War II, Vietnam, and Korean veterans. Her position as the Assistant to the Director at CSWS provided Brown the opportunity to work with many veterans and hear their amazing stories. In 2008, Dr. Brown returned to the University of West Alabama as a Visiting Professor.