Stephanie Sandoval has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Sociology as well as a Master of Arts degree in Humanities with an emphasis in English and Cultural Studies from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Her master’s thesis discusses literary characters that challenge gender conventional standards. Always studious, Stephanie successfully managed to be on the Dean’s List for all four of her undergraduate years. In 2007, she received the Ursula Williams Award for Writing, an honor from her alma mater. She has volunteered her researching, writing, and editing expertise to non-profit organizations such as Breathe California of Los Angeles County, American Friends Service Committee andTwo Wings.