Lauren A. Shumate attended University of South Florida on a full athletic scholarship to join the USF Women's Varsity Tennis team graduating magna cum laude in December of 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Minor in Political Science. During her undergraduate studies completed an internship at the Pinellas County Courthouse under the Honorable Judge Raymond Gross, conducting legal research and statutory analysis. During her senior year, Ms. Shumate was selected for a Fulbright Scholarship to Serbia. While in Serbia, she lectured at the University of Nis, Faculty of Law on topics related to criminology and law. She is a member of Golden Key, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, and was selected for the 2012 USF Golden Bull Award. Ms. Shumate is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Political Science focusing on areas of comparative politics and international law.