Lara began working in higher education in 1985, becoming a registrar in 2003. She volunteered in many roles for AACRAO including Co-chair of Volunteers, author, and committee chair; and she spent three years serving as Vice President for Records and Academic Services on the AACRAO Board of Directors. Lara completed a BA in International Spanish for the Professions as well as a Master of Public Administration. Her current role is at her alma mater, University of Colorado, as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and University Registrar for the Denver campus.