Laura J. Cortez

Laura Jean Cortez is a postdoctoral fellow with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. Cortez graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, earning her Ph.D. in educational administration with a focus on higher education and a certificate in Mexican American Studies. Her research interests focuses on college access as it relates to the role of parents and the experiences of first-generation students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. She has also published on the experiences of pre-tenured faculty of color. Laura has worked in higher education for 12 years holding various administrative positions at both private and public 4-year institutions.