Laura partners with the K20 Center to serve as the GEAR UP O+K=C Project Co-Director for Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS). Her primary responsibility is leadership of a team of GEAR UP College Coaches who serve as mentors to students experiencing chronic absenteeism and other challenges that impact their success in school. Laura collaborates with the K20 Center’s GEAR UP team to meet the unique needs of each of the GEAR UP O+K=C schools with the ultimate goal of improving student and family engagement, increasing high school graduation rates, and raising post-secondary enrollment rates. Laura has worked with the K20 Center’s GEAR UP programming since 2012 when she was hired to coordinate the K20 Center’s previous partnership grant with OKCPS—the 2011 GEAR UP for the PROMISE grant. Prior to her work with GEAR UP, Laura served as the Alternative Education Director for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Laura was born and raised in Oklahoma City and has devoted her professional career to work in juvenile justice, child welfare, public education, and college access. 

She recently relocated to a rural community with her husband, Brad, a high school principal. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her three children, gardening, and adding more farm animals to the Buxton homestead.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Education degree in Education Administration, both from the University of Central Oklahoma.