Dingus attended Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia (BFA, 1980) and San Jose State University (MFA, 1985). She has received:

• Irving and Yvonne Twining Humber Award Recipient (2018)
• The Morrie and Joan Alhadeff PONCHO Artist of the Year Award (2005)
• John S. Guggenheim Fellowship (1999)
• Visual Art Fellowship from Artist Trust (1994)