She earned a BFA and Doctorate of Education in Art Education from the University of Georgia and a M.Ed. from the University of West Georgia. She co-edited with Dr. Leigh Hersey, Handbook of Research on the Facilitation of Civic Engagement through Community Art. IGI Global: Hershey, PA. This book explores the numerous ways that the arts can encourage civic engagement. It is a comprehensive reference source for emerging perspectives on the incorporation of artistic works to facilitate improved civic engagement, 671 pages and 27 chapters.