Noel earned her Ph.D. from Colorado State University. Her research utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and focuses on the social processes through which inequalities are (re)produced. Her specialty areas include nationalism, intersectionality, and social stratification.

Noel regularly teaches Applications of Qualitative Research (SOC 315), Methods of Sociological Inquiry (SOC 311), Sociology of Intersectionality (SOC 334), Sociology of Race and Racism (SOC 205), Social Inequality (SOC 330), and Gender and Society (SOC 333).