Gloria graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education. She taught elementary and jr./sr. high school students in the Pittsburgh area for 16 years. Gloria also holds a PhD in Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She served as an elementary/middle school principal, and ended her career as Assistant Superintendent in the Waynesboro School District.

She grew up in Greencastle, PA in a family that encouraged her from a young age with private lessons from Leah Hawbaker throughout school. After a 22-year lapse and retirement, Gloria decided it was time for her to revive her love of artistic expression. She has taken colored pencil classes from Amy Lindenberger and Janie Gildow, two nationally known professional colored pencil artists. Gloria has also taken classes from Kent Roberts, Eric Miller, and Laurie McKelvey locally, as well as, Jean Haines, a world renowned British watercolor artist.

In the past, several of her miniature paintings in colored pencil and watercolors have been accepted in the national juried exhibition sponsored by the Arts Council of Chambersburg and the Penn State Arts Festival. Further, she has received numerous awards including 1st and 2nd place for her watercolor paintings and a graphite pencil drawing. Gloria is also a member of the Franklin County Arts Alliance. Presently, Gloria lives at Penn National with her husband John and their Golden Retriever, Charlie.