Career
On June 20, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated her to serve as the commissioner. On September 18, 2014, the United States Senate Committee on Finance approved her nomination by a 22–2 vote. Previously, she was the Deputy Commissioner, having been nominated by Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2010.
She had previously worked at the Social Security Administration during the 1990s.
Colvin is a graduate of Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an Master of Business Administration. Colvin has had a wide range of public sector experience. Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources (1989–1994)
Deputy Commissioner for Policy and External Affairs, Social Security Administration (1994–1996)
Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Policy, Social Security Administration (1996–1998)
Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Social Security Administration (1998–2001)
Director of the District of Columbia Department of Human Services (2001–2003)
Director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (2003–2007)
chief executive officer of AMERIGROUP Community Care of the District of Columbia (2007–2008)
Special Assistant to the Secretary of Maryland Department of Transportation (2009–2011).