Zimmerman has a bachelors in ASL/English interpreting and a masters in International Development with a focus of people with disabilities in Small Island Developing States. She is currently a doctorate student studying resilience in deaf children and youth. She is interested in the cultural contexts that foster academic and social success. Zimmerman is the co-founder and director of the Månha Project, culturally responsive summer initiatives that aim to enhance the wellbeing of Guam’s sign language community.