Dr. Laura Quiros earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare from The Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York, where her dissertation focused on “The Social Construction of Racial and Ethnic Identity among Women of Color from Mixed Ancestry: Psychological Freedoms and Sociological.” She also earned a master’s degree in social work from Hunter College School of Social Work and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Skidmore College. Dr. Quiros' latest book focuses on incorporating diversity and inclusion into trauma-informed social work.

Dr. Quiros joins Montclair State University, Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy as an Associate Professor on September 1, 2022. This move situated Dr. Quiros in her community of Montclair NJ, where she continues to lead and be involved in anti-oppression work within the school system and the wider community. Her research and scholarly interests focus trauma informed care through a social justice lens and the social construction of racial and ethnic identity.

Dr. Quiros was awarded the Adelphi University 2021 Award for Excellence in Teaching Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (SJEDI). The annual Excellence in Teaching SJEDI Award honors an Adelphi professor who demonstrates a commitment to SJEDI inside the classroom above and beyond the standard curriculum for the faculty member's discipline.

As a woman of color from a multicultural background, Dr. Quiros leverages her experiences, relationship building, and clinical skills to foster connections, inclusion, and empathic accountability. Having to negotiate her own identity required her to create safe spaces to survive and thrive and helped her develop tools that allow her to relate to various experiences that impact diverse groups.

Research and scholarly interests focus trauma informed care through a social justice lens and the social construction of racial and ethnic identity.

Trauma Informed Practice and Leadership from a Social Justice Lens. In addition, her research and scholarship focuses on the racialization of Latinas