tiefenthaler is the daughter of a popcorn farmer from breda, iowa. in 1987, she earned her bachelor's degree in economics from saint mary's college in notre dame, indiana. she received her master's and doctoral degrees in economics from duke university in 1989 and 1991, respectively. tiefenthaler joined the faculty of colgate university in hamilton, new york in 1991. eventually becoming professor of economics and senior adviser to the president, she chaired the economics department from 2000 to 2003, and from 2003 to 2006 she served as associate dean of the faculty.