Shannen graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2002 with a B.A. in Modern Literature. She went on to earn her M.A. in Education with a Counseling emphasis in 2006 from San Jose State University, along with her Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Shannen grew up in sunny San Diego and enjoyed years of swimming, the beach and water polo. To help fund her schooling (as well as fuel her passion of being with all types of dogs), she provided dog-sitting services to her clients for several years. For about 10 years she volunteered her time mentoring teens and working with their families in the San Jose/Silicon Valley areas.  She has held various positions, including work as a Financial Aid Director and also as a corporate Financial Aid Auditor, serving in the field for over ten years.