Director

lmzavala@central.uh.edu
713-743-7827

Laura Zavala-Membreno (she/her/hers) has been a University of Houston Cougar since 2004 when she started her undergraduate career pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Mexican American Studies. An Honors College alumna and a Terry Scholar, Laura continued her educational journey at UH with a Masters of Education in Counseling that she earned in 2011. After a period spent in community nonprofit supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence, Laura returned to UH in 2018 as part of the Counseling and Psychological Services team. With her background in mental health and gender-based violence work, Laura started as Interim Director for the WGRC in 2022 and stepped into the permanent role in 2023. Active at UH and in the Division of Student Affairs, Laura co-chairs the DSA Professional Development and Engagement Committee, serves as an advisor for student organizations, and is a member of NASPA Student Affairs Professionals Association and Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education. Laura is currently pursuing her PhD in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the UH College of Education and her research focuses on institutional response to campus sexual violence.

Outside of her professional life, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, having new experiences with her son, and eating at all of the great restaurants Houston has to offer. She also likes running, reading, and cuddling with her three cats.