[7] Born Laura Elise Skandera to an elementary school principal and second-grade teacher, she enrolled in Pepperdine University at the age of 16 and earned a B.A.
[10] After the completion of her Ph.D., Trombley accepted a teaching position at the State University of New York at Potsdam where she earned tenure as an associate professor of English.
[11] In 1997, she assumed the post of vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Coe College, the first woman to hold that title.
[18] During Trombley's presidency, Pitzer founded the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability,[19][20][21] the Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology in Costa Rica,[22] and the Vaccine Development Institute's partnership with the University of Botswana.
[39][40] Trombley modified the plan for the final phase of the Chinese Garden, adding a restaurant, outdoor entertainment space, and an art gallery, and completed funding for the 20-year project, with gifts totaling $12 million.
[41] In addition, she planned and received a $2.5 million gift for a Director of Research home to be built on the grounds of The Huntington, its first LEED certified building.
[51] On March 12, 2018, the University of Bridgeport announced Trombley would succeed Neil Salonen as president, effective July 1, 2018.
[52] On April 2, 2020, Southwestern University of Texas announced Trombley would succeed Edward Burger as president, effective July 1, 2020.
[7] Trombley has served on the board of the Chief Executive Organization, has been a member of The Southern California Forum of The Trusteeship of the International Women's Forum, Rotary International,[53] the Zamorano Club,[54] the Council on Foreign Relations Higher Education Working group on global issues, the Chronicle of Higher Education/New York Times Higher Education Cabinet[55] and the Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards.
[61] She is the 2017 recipient of the Lou Budd Award in recognition of her contributions to the field of Mark Twain studies.