Dana graduated summa cum laude from A&M in 2000 with a degree in History. She was named the 2000 Senior Gathright Scholar for Liberal Arts. Dana earned her secondary teaching certificate in Social Studies Composite and taught at the high school level for three years. She is married with two children and lives in La Grange, Texas. She stated that one of the biggest ways that she had ever challenged herself was going away to A&M from a very small 1A high school—what an adjustment! But, through the classes, relationships, and successes that she experienced during her time at college, she learned a great deal about herself and gained a level of confidence that has served her well since then.