Valarie Burke is originally from Larchmont, NY and relocated to Las Vegas in 2002. She began her studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology at UNLV in 2004.  In 2009, she obtained her master's degree in educational leadership at UNLV and in 2019 a Ph.D. in sociology. Prior to her current position, Valarie was a senior academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts for seven years and the student academic integration coordinator for the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.