Born on June 25 in East Chicago, IN
Raised by mother Carol and grandparents, Dorothy and Paul Macak
Attended public schools in East Chicago
Graduated as Valedictorian and the unlikely Prom Queen of East Chicago Central High School in 1993
Undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame (1993-1997) in Civil Engineering
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering and a concentration in structures in 1997
Graduate education at the University of Notre Dame (1997-2003)
Completed a Masters in Civil Engineering in 2000
Completed a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2003
Joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame In