Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Dr. Urzúa-Montoya moved to the United States in 1993 to pursue her undergraduate and graduate studies. She holds a B.A. in Broadcasting and Spanish from Arizona State University, and a M.A. and Ph. D. in Hispanic Literature from The University of Arizona. Her areas of specialization include 19th to 21st -Century Spanish American and Peninsular literature and culture, and Medieval and Golden Age Spanish literature.
She has taught 100-400 level University of Arizona undergraduate courses in a range of Spanish-language, General Education, Honors College and Study Abroad face-to-face, hybrid, online and live online formats. Besides teaching, she enjoys books, podcasts, movies, traveling and spending time with her family, friends and pets. Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.