Dr. Chinery completed her undergraduate work in English and religious studies at Georgian Court in 1986. She holds an M.A. in English from Northeastern University and a Ph.D. in English from Drew University.

She joined Georgian Court as an instructor in 1989 and has served in many roles. She formerly chaired the Department of English and Communications, led the humanities program (now interdisciplinary studies), and was an associate dean for the School of Arts and Sciences before being named assistant provost in 2010. In addition, she served as co-chair of the campus task force that recommended and implemented GCU’s 2012 shift to full coeducation, following more than 100 years of being primarily known as a women’s college.