Born and raised in Columbia, Missouri. Kristen graduated from Hickman High School. She attended Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University) and the University of Missouri-Columbia where she obtained her Master of Public Administration and Juris Doctorate. Before attending law school, Mrs. Dickinson worked for three statewide elected officials, Roger Wilson, Bekki Cook, and Claire McCaskill.
In college, Mrs. Dickinson was the recipient of CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Family Violence and the Law, Greek Spirit Award, MIAA Women's Swimming All-Academic Team, and Scholar-Athlete Team. In recent years, Mrs. Dickinson has been nominated for Emerging Business Woman of the Year and recognized by Columbia Daily Tribune. She is a member of the Boone County Bar Association and Missouri Bar. She supports local sports organizations and coached girls and boys basketball teams. Mrs. Dickinson served on the Psychotropic Medication Advisory Committee (PMAC).
