She obtained a BA, MA and PhD in political sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Subsequently she also obtained an MA in American politics and public policy from the University of Arizona.

[1] Brown started her career in academia and eventually served as an assistant professor at Villanova University.

[3] She then served as an education policy and public affairs consultant in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles for some time and later returned to her academic career.

[15] Brown served on the board of directors of The New Agenda, an organization focused on advancing women rights.