Sue started her academic career in Anthropology receiving her BA degree in 1967 from the University of Minnesota. She soon discovered her love and interest in Earth processes and in 1972 earned an MS in Geology from Western Washington University and a PhD in Geology with a concentration in Geophysics from The University of Wyoming in 1977. After graduating, Sue spent two years as a post-doc researcher at the University of Minnesota. In 1979, Sue and Jim filled one full-time faculty position at Michigan Tech, and together they built and maintained one of the foremost paleomagnetic/rock magnetic research facilities in the US. Their research and that of their graduate students is highly cited in scientific literature. Sue taught a variety of courses, including Global Geophysics, Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, Oceanography, Geomorphology, Glacial Geology, and Paleoclimatology.
During her tenure at Michigan Tech, Sue also served as Associate Dean, Acting Chair, and Director for Success and Diversity; she is particularly proud of her work toward the creation of the Michigan Tech Child Development Center. Sue has also mentored many students and women geoscientists. Sue and Jimmy retired in 2011 after 32 years of service.