She received her Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a specialization in Leadership Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2005. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Southeast Missouri State with a B.S. in Biology Education in 1982. In 1989 she was awarded a Master of Science in General Graduate Studies with emphases in Sociology, Adult Education, and Women's Studies. Her research interests include outcomes of intercultural sensitivity in organizations and communities, diversity and leadership, helping leaders/teachers develop critical thinking in themselves and others, and outcomes of using and developing teams in the classroom.