Countdown to Commencement 2026: Dominique Lawrence

April 20, 2026

This week’s “Countdown to Commencement” series features Dominique Lawrence, a Spanish and film and television major. She was nominated by Dr. Meg Flaherty, assistant dean of students and Title IX coordinator, and Dr. Marina Bonilla-Conejo, assistant professor in the Department of Modern Languages.

From a young age, Lawrence found joy in watching movies and television, not just as entertainment, but as a powerful way to tell stories. She has carried that passion into her academic and creative work at Fisher, where she has developed a deep appreciation for using film as a tool to amplify voices and share perspectives.

Over her four years at Fisher, Lawrence’s coursework has shaped her identity as both an artist and a storyteller. In cinematography and editing, she created a self‑profile film that captured who she is and the impact she hopes to make. In her filmmaking and documentary production course, she partnered with another student to produce a documentary on art and graffiti in Rochester, interviewing local artists and exploring the stories behind their work.

Lawrence found opportunities to create in her Spanish classes too. She filmed skits and delivered language‑based performances that strengthened both her fluency and her confidence. Through her participation in the Summer Fellows Research Program, Lawrence played a key role in developing podcasts for the Modern Languages program at Fisher. She is especially proud of creating “Bilingual Beats” and hearing from participants who are multilingual and learning about their backgrounds.

Her academic journey also sparked an unexpected passion for teaching. Lawrence plans to pursue graduate studies in education and Spanish, combining her love for language, creativity, and mentorship.

Beyond the classroom, Lawrence made a meaningful impact on campus as the president of the Black Student Union (BSU) during her sophomore year. She reflects on this experience with pride, grateful for the students she worked alongside and the community they built together.

Flaherty praises Lawrence for her leadership and influence, noting, “Her work amplifies diverse voices and fosters collaboration, setting her apart as a student who not only participates but transforms the spaces she enters.”

As she prepares for graduation, Lawrence encourages fellow students to stand firm in their beliefs and use their voices to create change.

“Being a little disruptive means you have a voice and you are standing up,” she said.

This article was written by Hailey Gunther, a senior marketing major, who is working as an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fisher for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Countdown to Commencement 2026: Dominique Lawrence 2026-04-20T09:10:00-04:00 This week’s “Countdown to Commencement” series features Dominique Lawrence, a Spanish and film and television major. She was nominated by Dr. Meg Flaherty, assistant dean of students and Title IX coordinator, and Dr. Marina Bonilla-Conejo, assistant professor in the Department of Modern Languages. From a young age, Lawrence found joy in watching movies and television, not just as entertainment, but as a powerful way to tell stories. She has carried that passion into her academic and creative work at Fisher, where she has developed a deep appreciation for as a tool to amplify voices and share perspectives. Over her four years at Fisher, Lawrence’s coursework has shaped her identity as both an artist and a storyteller. In cinematography and editing, she created a self‑profile film that captured who she is and the impact she hopes to make. In her filmmaking and documentary production course, she partnered with another student to produce a documentary on art and graffiti in Rochester, interviewing local artists and exploring the stories behind their work. Lawrence found opportunities to create in her Spanish classes too. She filmed skits and delivered language‑based performances that strengthened both her fluency and her confidence. Through her participation in the Summer Fellows Research Program, Lawrence played a key role in developing podcasts for the program at Fisher. She is especially proud of creating “Bilingual Beats” and hearing from participants who are multilingual and learning about their backgrounds. Her academic journey also sparked an unexpected passion for teaching. Lawrence plans to pursue graduate studies in education and Spanish, combining her love for language, creativity, and mentorship. Beyond the classroom, Lawrence made a meaningful impact on campus as the president of the during her sophomore year. She reflects on this experience with pride, grateful for the students she worked alongside and the community they built together. Flaherty praises Lawrence for her leadership and influence, noting, “Her work amplifies diverse voices and fosters collaboration, setting her apart as a student who not only participates but transforms the spaces she enters.” As she prepares for graduation, Lawrence encourages fellow students to stand firm in their beliefs and use their voices to create change. “Being a little disruptive means you have a voice and you are standing up,” she said. This article was written by Hailey Gunther, a senior marketing major, who is working as an intern in the at Fisher for the 2025-2026 academic year.