Laura just finished a Masters degree in Recreation Administration at Georgia Southern University having earned her bachelor of science in geography from Appalachian State University. In the past few years Laura has spent a lot of time out of the country as both a student and independent traveler. She has a passion for seeing new places and sharing her knowledge with those around her. Laura really enjoys horses and mountains and was disappointed when mountaineering cowgirl was not one of the options for her graduate degree.

Last year, Laura spent most of her time traveling in Europe doing some climbing in France and Spain and mountaineering in the Alps. She has also spent time trekking in the Indian Himalayas and mountaineering in the Argentine Andes.

In 2005 Laura was the recipient of two grants to conduct research in Argentina. She received a Prestigious Scholars Grant and an Undergraduate Research Grant from Appalachian State University for a project entitled “Argentina on the brink: Striking a balance between local and global interests in the mining sector.” Cordon Ramada, Argentina. Laura was a co-recipient of a grant from the American Alpine Club in 2006 for research entitled “A Woman's Place? Mountain Tourism and Women’s empowerment in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.” Garhwal Himalaya, India.