Laura Munoz

Laura Muñoz is an Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Department of Language, Literature and Mass Communication at Colorado Mesa University. She holds a PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from UCLA and specializes in early modern Spanish theater, translation, and performance adaptation. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges academic scholarship with real-world applications in language services.

Education:

• PhD, Hispanic Languages and Literatures – University of California, Los Angeles
• MA, Spanish Literature – University of California, Los Angeles
• BA, Spanish and Linguistics – University of California, Riverside

Her research centers on classical Spanish drama, particularly works by Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, and Guillén de Castro, with a focus on translating and adapting these texts for modern audiences. She emphasizes the cultural and performative dimensions of early modern theater, exploring themes of gender, honor, identity, and social norms. As a founding member of Diversifying the Classics, she promotes access to translated classical works and inclusive performance practices.

Her recent publications reflect a consistent output in literary translation, primarily through collaborations with the UCLA Working Group on Comedia in Performance and Translation. These works form a cohesive body of scholarship aimed at revitalizing Spanish Golden Age theater for contemporary readers and performers. The publications span from 2018 to 2022 and include both solo and co-edited volumes, demonstrating collaborative engagement and scholarly leadership.

Laura Muñoz is deeply committed to student mentorship and fostering inclusive learning environments. Her teaching philosophy, shaped by her experience as a first-generation student, emphasizes critical thinking, risk-taking, and interdisciplinary engagement. She actively prepares students for careers in translation and interpretation, integrating her professional experience in both literary and commercial translation into the curriculum.

She is involved with the Diversifying the Classics initiative, which supports the translation and performance of classical Spanish plays, particularly those by underrepresented voices. This project serves both academic and community outreach goals, enhancing public access to Hispanic literary heritage.