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 early life unfolded on the expansive plains of southwestern Minnesota before moving to St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, with her family. Her academic pursuits took place at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a B.S. in English and Education, complemented by a minor in speech and theatre, and was elected Phi Beta Kappa.