The Stevenson University School of Design welcomes a new internship director and assistant professor of design, Sonya A. Lawyer. She brings a rich background steeped in the fine arts. Her experience in all areas of design with a focus on photography will be shared with students throughout the school of design.
Lawyer began her unusual career by completing her bachelor’s degree in biology with a chemistry minor from Howard University. On her transition from biology to photography Lawyer noted, “I spent a lot of time in labs… bio labs, chem labs, and photo labs.”
Lawyer was quick to mention that after graduation she couldn’t shake her passion for photography. After completing a research position, she knew that the sciences were not the path she was ready to head down for the rest of her life.
“I went back to my local community college and took enough photography classes to apply for grad school. In grad school we took a lot of teaching courses and then from there it kind of blossomed,” said Lawyer.
After completing her masters degree at University of Florida, Lawyer served as an adjunct professor at Howard Community College. Afterwards, she went to Ohio as an administrator, teaching part time, at Miami University of Ohio. She then moved back to Maryland to accept a position at Frostburg State University. Her longest and most recent stint was at the Art Institute of Washington prior to moving on to Stevenson University.
Stepping into her new role in mid-August of this year, Lawyer knew from her first interview that she was meant to land at Stevenson. Her experience with so many universities and backgrounds will only benefit the internship program as transitions are made throughout the School of Design.
“I’m most excited about the internship program and getting students into positions that will then help them build their career paths,” said Lawyer. “The students are great here. I’ve been at several institutions, and I feel like the students are passionate about what they want to do when they get out of here.”
Lawyer looks forward to growing the internship program and a long future in the School of Design. Her office is located on the second floor of the Kevin Manning Academic Center in room S259. School of Design students, especially those looking for an internship, are encouraged to stop by and introduce themselves.
A portfolio of Lawyer’s professional work can be viewed at http://www.sonyalawyer.com.
