Dr. Mandrell is the Superintendent of Polo Community Unit School District #222, where she has served since 2020. Prior to this role, she served as the Principal of Pearl City High School for seven years. She began her education career as a kindergarten teacher and later a high school counselor. She holds an Ed.D and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Aurora University, an M.S. in School Counseling from Western Illinois University, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Augustana College.