Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Mina completed her BA (psychology), BA Hons. (history), and MA (history) at the University of British Columbia. Under the supervision of Professor Jeffrey James Byrne, her MA thesis explored American responses to the Cyprus crisis in the summer of 1974 and in particular, looked at the policy of non-intervention during a period of American foreign policy often defined by interventionism.

Prior to studying at LSE, Mina worked in the field of secondary education in the UK at Cheltenham Ladies' College and Benenden School.

PhD Title: "Cyprus, 1974: American Foreign Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and Inter-NATO Conflict"

PhD Supervisor: Prof Matthew Jones