Dr. Laura Cortes-Franco is an educator affiliated with the University of the Incarnate Word's College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. A Mexican immigrant with a U.S. work permit, she holds a Ph.D. (debt-free at age 27) and a Master’s in Counseling, alongside a specialized diploma in psychological first aid for migrants from Mexico’s Secretaría de Educación Pública. Her professional background combines academia, government service, and community work. She has managed Mexican government-funded programs at the General Mexican Consulate in San Antonio, Texas, and reunified unaccompanied migrant children with families while working for the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. As an educator, she draws on her experience as a DACA recipient to inspire students. Her research and advocacy focus on immigrant mental health, policy, and systemic support for marginalized communities. She founded her own consulting company and has extensive experience bridging governmental and community efforts to address migration challenges. Her work emphasizes practical solutions informed by firsthand and professional insights into migration dynamics. Notable professional contributions include managing U.S. and Mexican governmental programs, repatriation efforts, and case management for vulnerable populations. Her educational background underscores her expertise in both psychological practice and organizational systems.
