Christie Cradock earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and secondary education at Florida Atlantic University. After a couple of years of working in various fields she returned to school and earned her master's degree in educational leadership studies from West Virginia University. While completing her master's program, Christie served as a graduate assistant coach for the swimming and volleyball teams at Bethany College in West Virginia. Afterward, she worked in the University of Maryland Baltimore County's athletic department as coordinator for academic support for student athletes. In the summer of 2000, she joined the advising staff in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. She and her husband have a daughter, Amanda, and a dog, Riley. In her spare time Christie enjoys swimming, walking and going to the beach.