Laurel taught at the Art Center College of Design, where she shared her expertise in design thinking, user experience, and interaction design with students, mentoring them to develop innovative and human-centered approaches.

Laurel served as Chair of the Graduate Program in Design at the California College of the Arts (CCA). She was responsible for shaping the curriculum, fostering a creative environment, and guiding students in their design projects. She became Professor Emeritus in 2016.

She co-founded the university's programs in games and playable media.

Laurel continues to be an active speaker and workshop leader, sharing her insights on design, technology, and social impact at conferences and events around the world.