She earned her doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where her primary research interest was in post-abortion adjustment. Before teaching at SUNY-Fredonia, Dr. Thibodeau created and managed the Niagara University Learning Partnership (NULP), a collaborative venture between the Niagara Falls City School District and Niagara University designed to support students (K-12) at risk for failure and prepare pre-service teachers to work more effectively with high risk, multiple needs learners. She also coordinated the Community Based Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (CBAPP) of Niagara County. Early in her career she taught Biology and Health classes in the city of Buffalo, NY.