Shontell McQueen was born and raised in Newark, NJ. She graduated from Malcolm X. Shabazz High School and continued her education earning a BA and Masters of Arts in Public Administration (with honors) at Kean University. She is a member of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials and the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. She holds a Certificate of Eligibility for School Business Administration. Shontell had been previously employed in the fields of education, human resources, real estate, and health care.