Pathways to Belonging

Laurenlee Dominguez ‘21 VSB wasted no time advancing the inclusion efforts for Latinx students at Villanova.

When Laurenlee Dominguez arrived on campus just two years ago, she saw a need to help Latinx students feel more connected. That led Laurenlee and four other students to reestablish Villanova’s chapter of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) to give students a stronger sense of belonging. But that’s not all- Laurenlee also wants to encourage more understanding of the Latinx culture to help open minds, reduce bias, and drive change.

Paving the Way

Laurenlee credits the sense of purpose to her upbringing in a strong Puerto Rican/ Dominican family in Queens, N.Y. Her parents, who did not attend college, emphasized the importance of education and told Laurenlee that she was paving the way for her family. She chose to attend the Villanova School of Business knowing it would help her pursue her goals, and perhaps help others too. “Business today still lacks diversity,” explains Laurenlee. “Fortunately, changes are underway and I hope to be a part of that change.”

When Laurenlee and her friends reinstated LASO, they first focused on bringing together Latinx students of all backgrounds. They hosted Sunday “Family Dinners” complete with music and authentic Latinx food-rice, beans, empanadas, pernil, and other favorites. The first one drew over 80 students from across campus.

“It can sometimes be a challenge for students of color to make their transition from their typically multicultural environments at home to Villanova,” explained LASO Faculty Advisor Mark Doorley, PhD. “Laurenlee and other LASO leaders realized the importance of food and music to make Latinx students feel welcome.”

With Laurenlee as co-chair, LASO grew and the board looked to share the Latinx culture more broadly on campus. In September 2018, LASO hosted the first annual “On my Block Party,” a campus-wide celebration of Latinx culture held during Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage month. The event, which featured a Latinx-style barbeque and performances, attracted more than 300 attendees including University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ‘75 CLAS.

“The most heartwarming part came from [Latinx] senior who said, ‘Finally, I feel like I’m here,” Laurenlee shared proudly.

Pursuing Even Bigger Goals

Laurenlee continually looks to help underrepresented students find their way at Villanova. Apart from LASO, she works in the Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA), helping coordinate College Day visits for high school students who are also the first in their families to attend college. She also hopes to mentor an underclassmen-ideally a female Latinx VSB student- all while pursuing a triple major in Finance, Accounting, and International Business with a minor in Business Law and Corporate Governance. She even finds time to belong to the nation's first Latin sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha. It’s a hefty agenda, but then again, Laurenlee has never been afraid to push herself.

Originally published in the Summer 2019 Issue of Villanova Business magazine.