[1] On September 18, 2014, the United States Senate Committee on Finance approved her nomination by a 22–2 vote.

[3] Previously, she was the Deputy Commissioner, having been nominated by Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2010.

[4][5] Colvin is a graduate of Morgan State University with a BS in Business Administration and an MBA.

She served as Director of the District of Columbia Department of Human Services, from 2001 to 2003, before going on to be the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, from 2003 to 2007, and the Chief Executive Officer of AMERIGROUP Community Care of the District of Columbia, from 2007 to 2008.

She was appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary of Maryland Department of Transportation, serving from 2009 to 2011.