She earned her doctorate in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University and completed postdoctoral work at the National Center for Children and Families, Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on self-regulation in children and youth; current projects highlight mindfulness as an intervention strategy to enhance these skills. She teaches courses on child development and developmental theory, serves as the coordinator for the Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies minor, and is a member of the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education.