Laurie L. Urraro currently holds a position of lecturer in Spanish at the Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, having completed her Ph.D. in Peninsular Literatures and Cultures from the Ohio State University in 2011. She earned a Bachelor's degree from John Carroll University (1997) and a Master's degree from Kent State University (1999). She has teaching experience at the high school level (Collegiate Academy, Erie PA 1999 - 2002), as well as a number of universities, including Kent State University (1997 - 1999), the Ohio State University (2002 - 2006), and Gannon University (2008 - 2010).

Dr. Urraro's areas of expertise and interest include: modern peninsular languages and cultures, women's studies, contemporary Spanish film, studies of gender and sexuality, and contemporary Spanish theater