Conny grew up in Kenya, developing interests in International Relations and Environmental Politics, due to personal experiences with terrorist attacks and climate change in her hometown.  She has a diverse academic background including a Master's Degree in Environmental Sciences from Miami University, Ohio, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

While at Miami, Conny focused on Environmental Policy and the role of interest groups in the policymaking process. She worked extensively at the grassroots level, educating local communities on the importance of wetland restoration projects.

While at Tennessee, in the Global Security Program, she engaged in various research and policy projects in conjunction with government agencies (the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense) including conflict stabilization, aiming to train mediation practices in international war zones.

Conny's research interests include causes for rising terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa, U.S.-led counterterrorism policies in that region, conflict and territorial disputes in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. 

Conny serves as the Faculty Advisor for the Environmental Science & Policy Program, overseeing the Politics & Policy (P&P) concentration. She also teaches classes in International Relations & National Security, Environmental Policy & Politics, and Public Policy.