Shannon Wells graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A. in Global Studies, a B.A. in Japanese, and a minor in Economics. After graduating, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) recipient of Japanese lived in Niigata, Japan, as part of the Japanese Exchange Teaching Program (JET).

Shannon is a graduate student in the Master of International Studies program at North Carolina State University, focusing on policy analysis and economic development. Her current research interests include studying policy that focuses on the nexus of international economic development, trade, and the environment.

Shannon likes to weightlift, kickbox, and garden in her free time.