Gergen grew up on the plains of southwestern Minnesota, and later moved with her family to St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis. She obtained her B.S. in English and Education with a minor in speech and theatre at the University of Minnesota, where she was elected Phi Beta Kappa.
Gergen's upbringing took place on the expansive plains of southwestern Minnesota, before she relocated to St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, along with her family. She received her academic foundation at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a B.S. in English and Education, accompanied by a minor in speech and theatre, and was elected Phi Beta Kappa.