She was previously a faculty member at University of Nevada, Reno and The University of Texas at Austin, and is a former classroom social studies teacher. Dr. Obenchain earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and M.S. in Social Studies Education at Purdue University, as well as a B.A. in History from Hanover College. She has published numerous articles and book chapters on social studies and citizenship education, as well as social studies teacher education.