[1] Jennings grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a member of two indigenous tribes - the Huichol (Wixáritari) and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme).
After completion of her undergraduate degree and before attending graduate school, Jennings worked for a couple of years studying water pollution at a field station in Big Sur in California.
It was at this time Jennings began thinking about using her science skills to serve the places she was from, especially for topics such as environmental issues caused by mining.
[6] Jennings credits her involvement with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) in graduate school for helping develop her research skills and to envision ways to honor Indigenous data sources and contributions, connecting the geosciences with cultural identity.
"[11] When her May 2020 graduate education was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennings decided to run 50 miles in honor of the Indigenous scientists and knowledge keepers who came before her.