Laura Ferdinand
Laura joined the Searle Center as a postdoctoral scholar in 2022 and advanced to the role of Assistant Director of Content and Communications in 2024. She is energized by this dynamic position, which brings together her deep interests and expertise in teaching, research, editing, and graphic design.
Laura earned her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama from Northwestern University, where she was honored as a Presidential Fellow. She has taught at Miami University, Columbia College Chicago, and Northwestern. Leveraging her background as a theatre scholar and practitioner, Laura integrates principles and techniques of improvisation and applied theatre pedagogy to develop innovative and engaging teaching methods to enhance students' learning and holistic well-being.
In addition to her academic and teaching roles, Laura creates visually compelling materials for various educational initiatives, including infographics, promotional materials, and ePublications for the Searle Center. Her design work is characterized by a strong understanding of visual communication principles, which she uses to effectively convey complex information in an accessible and engaging manner.