She received her doctoral and master’s degrees from Sam Houston State University. She teaches UHV courses about research methods, statistics and gender-based violence. Her research examines how romantic and peer relationships influence criminal behavior in adolescence, emerging adulthood and adulthood, and how facets such as intimate partner violence, substance use and peer behavior can influence participation in various crimes. She grew up in Denton but spent the last six years in Huntsville. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Wade, and her new baby boy, Cooper.