Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Ariel embarked on her journey to the DFW- metroplex area to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, TX. In May 2011, she received her Bachelors of Science Degree from TCU and started her career in the field of college and career readiness.  Ariel received her Masters of Science in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In her role as the Assistant Director of the MKE Scholars program, Ariel is responsible for creating, coordinating, and assessing a streamlined success program for MKE Scholar students as well as prospective students during the academic year and required Summer Bridge experience. The MKE Scholars program is open to students who have participated in following Burke Foundation funded programs: Boys & Girls Club of Milwaukee, Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, Carmen High School of Science & Technology, College Possible, Cristo Rey Jesuit School, Nativity Jesuit Middle School, PEARLS for Teen Girls, and United Community Center.