As a former child in foster care, Kansas law provided for a college tuition waiver, and she took advantage of the opportunity if offered. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences, with a minor in conflict analysis and trauma studies from Kansas State University. Then she went to Oklahoma State University, where she earned a master’s degree in human development with an emphasis in child and family services. She wrote her thesis on single support for youth who grow up in foster care and served an internship with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C. She also interned with the House Ways and Means Committee under chair Kevin Brady (R-TX). In short, she began to make a splash.