In her previous positions, Vaughn has served as the Acting City Manager for Kansas City, Mo., Director of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department in Kansas City, Regional Director for the North Central States for the Corporation for National Service, Director of the Housing Department in Dallas, Texas, and Director of the Environmental and Health Services Department in Dallas. In the past year, she has served as a consultant to public and religious organizations.

Vaughn has a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University School of Social Work and a bachelor’s degree with honors in sociology from Wooster College. Her publications and presentations include: "Delivery of Human Services in the Black Community," The State of Black Kansas City, 1991 and a presentation at the International Conference on Urban Safety, Drugs and Crime Prevention, Paris, 1991.