McAdams has resided in Juneau since 2014, but previously lived and worked in Sitka where she was employed by SEARHC and also the Sitka Tribe of Alaska as the Education Director and as the Indian Vocational Education Program Coordinator. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Fresno Pacific University in California, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English Writing from Concordia College in Minnesota. As the Coordinator for Equity and Compliance, her responsibilities at UAS include Title IX, Equal Employment Opportunity issues, the American Disabilities Act/504 requirements, and Clery Act compliance.