She holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in Educational Human Resource Development (adult education emphasis) from Texas A&M University. Her research interests reflect a critical perspective on adult identity development, feminist identity development, popular culture and informal adult learning and development, and adult learning, educational access and socio-economic class. Recent publications include articles in the International Journal of Lifelong Education, Adult Education Quarterly, Journal of Transformative Education, New Directions for Adult Education and Human Resource Development, Journal of Studies in International Education, and The Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, as well as chapters in the Routledge Handbook of Public Pedagogy, New Directions in Adult and Continuing Education, and Women and Pedagogy.