Erin Reilly ’20
MFA Student at Emerson College
When she started at Fisher, Erin Reilly was the student who “sat in the back of the class and did not raise her hand even when she knew the answer.” Now, on the other side of the classroom, she encourages students to take the kinds of risks that transformed her journey. While at Fisher, she landed an internship with a Rochester-based production company called Worldwide Documentaries, where she gained “firsthand experience in the filmmaking industry as well as exposure to urgent and personal storytelling.”
This hands-on experience with storytelling equipped her to publish her first young adult novel, Tossed by the Waves. An independent film adaptation of the book is currently in pre-production. “While I’ve always had a love for telling stories, the media and communication department at Fisher showed me how to take that love and turn it into art. I grew a passion for television and film writing, which still influences the way I write narrative fiction.”
Reilly’s time at Fisher became the foundational inspiration for her pursuit of an MFA in Creative Writing. Now at Emerson College in Boston, she also teaches first-year writing. She credits her leadership roles with The Cardinal Courier and ANGLES as the invaluable editorial experience necessary for her current work. “I am so grateful to Fisher and the professors there who believed in me, for giving me the tools I need to pursue my dreams.”
Mike Thomas ’11
Thomas Media Group Founder
Mike Thomas, a 2011 graduate of Fisher, launched his career in marketing and creative media. He later founded Thomas Media Group (TMG), a full-service marketing and content agency based in Rochester, NY.
During his time at Fisher, Thomas was involved in multiple clubs and took on leadership positions to gain experience working with dynamic teams and managing projects. He explained, “Living on campus and truly integrating myself into the opportunities that Fisher provided really allowed me to grow as a communicator, student, and friend.”
Now, through TMG, Thomas specializes in content creation, brand strategy, video production, social media growth, and marketing partnerships for organizations both local and beyond. Additionally, he launched Content House as a dedicated studio space for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands to help others share their stories without the usual production hurdles.
As a creative entrepreneur and mentor, he encourages students to take advantage of the opportunities before them. He continues to give back to the Fisher community – returning to campus to speak with students about content creation, authenticity, and building sustainable careers in the digital age. “As I look at my career now, I’m grateful not just for the opportunities provided, but the fact that I took them.”