Ms. Diaz earned her bachelor of arts in Psychology from New Mexico State University in 2000, master of arts in cultural anthropology from the New Mexico State University in 2003, and master of education in counseling from the University of North Texas.

Ms. Leila Diaz joined the TAMHSC COM in 2008 as the Director of Admissions. In 2011, she was promoted to the position of Assistant Dean of Admissions and Diversity and gained a faculty appointment as Instructor in the Department of Humanities in Medicine. She is heavily involved in the admissions process for the COM in recruiting, advising, screening, interviewing, and selecting applicants for the COM. In her role in diversity, she is involved in a broad range of aspects including cultural competency in the curriculum, community engagements, special programs, and faculty development. She is involved in several COM task forces and committees and serves as the Secretary for the AAMC Southern Group on Student Affairs. She has served as a consultant to the Joint Admission Medical Program Council since 2002.

She previously served as the Assistant Director of Admissions and JAMP Coordinator at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002-2006.