She received her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Kansas (1998) her MA in American Studies from the University of Wyoming and her undergraduate degree in American Studies and Geography at West London Institute. Her recent publications explore historical antecedents to New Urbanism and peer mentoring for early and mid-career female faculty. She is presently working on a book project exploring the production of the American West in the early 20th century through dude ranch tourism.