Lansing Community College Board of Trustees
Investing in Education. Building a Stronger Tomorrow.
I am a proud Lansing native, a first-generation college graduate, and a mother of four public-school graduates. For more than 30 years I have helped people in our region find work, grow careers and build better lives. I am running for the LCC Board of Trustees to make sure every student in our community gets that same chance.
Endorsed by the Michigan Education Association Election Day: Tuesday, November 3
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Absentee ballots have already been mailed. If you have yours, you can vote for Dominica today. Serving voters in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Livingston and Shiawassee Counties.
Lansing Community College deserves a trustee who has lived what it offers and who knows what our region's employers need.
Experienced in attracting and retaining talent, managing resources responsibly, and building organizational accountability.
Experienced in IT leadership, technology governance, and project execution, with an open-minded approach to innovation and change.
I grew up here, graduated from the Lansing School District, and raised my family here. As a first-generation college graduate, I know what it feels like to be the first in your family to walk onto a campus, and I know what it took to finish. I will keep that door open for others.
A proud mother of four, including triplets—all 2026 college graduates. Having supported four children through public school and college, I understand firsthand the challenges families face in helping students succeed.
The Michigan Education Association, which represents educators across the state, has endorsed my campaign. The people who do the work trust me to support them.
I am a proud Lansing native. I graduated from the Lansing School District and became the first person in my family to earn a college degree, a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University, followed later by an MBA from Northwood University. I know firsthand what education, discipline and perseverance can do for a family, because they did it for mine.
For more than 30 years I have built a career in human resources and executive leadership. Today I serve as Vice President of Administration at Ionetix, a Lansing-based company that designs and manufactures superconducting cyclotrons and produces medical isotopes used to diagnose heart disease and cancer and to deliver targeted cancer therapy. I oversee Human Resources, Information Technology and Legal Services for a workforce spread across 18 states. Before that I was a Senior HR Leader at Dart Container, served as an HR consultant for nine local organizations, and launched a start-up manufacturing facility as one of its five founding executives.
While building my career, I have always held on to my most important role: being a mom. My husband, Fidencio, and I raised our four children here, building our family and becoming deeply connected to the local community. I am especially proud to be a mother of triplets — an experience that has shaped our family journey in a truly unique way. Our children’s educational paths have included Haslett Public Schools and Lansing Community College, followed by opportunities at institutions including Grand Valley State University, Davenport University, Olivet Nazarene University, UCLA, Harvard, and Oxford. Each of our children followed their own path toward graduation, a career, and their future. Their journeys have reinforced my belief that there is no single path to success—but every student deserves a strong educational foundation, access to opportunity, and a community that believes in their potential. I want every family in our region to have that.
Some of the work I am proudest of has never been on a resume. For years I have helped people find job openings, prepare for interviews, navigate career changes and build the confidence to go after something new. I am an active member of my church, and I believe faith, family, service and community are the foundation of a meaningful life.
Public education changed the trajectory of my own life. As a trustee, I will bring the perspective of a business leader, a public-school graduate, a lifelong Lansing-area resident, and a parent of four public-school graduates, including triplets. I will help ensure that today's students—and generations to come—have access to the same opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.
Education should be a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier. Here is what I will stand for as a trustee
Remove barriers and create more opportunities for every learner.
Expand access and support so that traditional students, adult learners, and those seeking to upskill or reskill can achieve their goals and build a brighter future.
Support, value and invest in the educators who make a lasting impact.
With 30 years in human resources I know an organization is only as good as the people. I will advocate to ensure LCC's faculty and staff are respected, fairly valued to be provided the professional resources they need.
Make smart investments for a sustainable future.
I have managed complex budgets, benefits, technology and compliance for growing organizations and will bring that discipline to the Board: clear priorities, honest reporting, responsible stewardship of public resources, and investment in what measurably helps students finish and find work.
Drive bold ideas, stronger partnerships and greater opportunities for our students and community.
Our region is becoming a hub for advanced manufacturing, life sciences and nuclear medicine, and employers like mine are recruiting chemists, engineers and skilled technicians right now. I will share my unique ideas, knowledge and expertise to align LCC's programs with where our local economy is going, and deepen partnerships with Lansing-area employers so students graduate with the skills and certifications employers are actively seeking. I will support student programs and athletics that develop leadership, teamwork, and corporate collaboration with future careers.
"Education is the most powerful tool we have to build a better future for our community."
I am grateful for recognition that reflects not only individual achievement, but also the teams, organizations, and family I am proud to be part of.
Honored by Cafecito Caliente and title sponsor Lake Trust Credit Union as the 2026 Latina of the Year, recognizing advocacy, leadership, and commitment to advancing Latinas and the broader Hispanic community.
The organization I co-lead, Ionetix, received the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Regional Growth Award, recognizing its contribution to creating high-tech jobs and strengthening our region's role in medical research and development.
The organization I co-lead, Ionetix, was named a Detroit Free Press 2025 Michigan Top Workplace—recognition that reflects the strong workplace culture our team has built together.
I am also a proud mother of my daughter Christina Dixon recognized by the Lansing State Journal as a Female Athlete of the Year—a personal reminder of what young people can accomplish when talent, determination, family, and community support come together.
I am honored to be endorsed by the Michigan Education Association, which represents teachers, faculty, education support staff and higher-education employees across our state. The MEA's endorsement tells voters that the educators who do the work every day trust me to support them, respect them and invest in them. That trust is a responsibility I take seriously.
mea.orgCommunity endorsements coming soon. Want to add your name?
LEAP, our region's economic development partnership, featured my work at Ionetix on Pure Lansing, its story of how a Lansing company is helping drive Michigan's life-sciences economy.
LEAP · Pure Lansing · January 30, 2026
"Our emphasis on connection, purpose, and long-term growth opportunities has helped us attract and retain top talent. [...] This approach of focusing on both career fulfillment and personal well-being has been key to maintaining a stable, engaged, and mission-driven organization."
Vote for Dominica Palacio for LCC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Absentee ballots have already been mailed. If you have yours, you can vote right now. Look for Dominica Palacio under Lansing Community College Board of Trustees.
Not sure whether your address is in the LCC district? Check your sample ballot at the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Fill out your ballot, sign the return envelope and return it to your clerk as soon as possible. Use your clerk's drop box or deliver it in person rather than relying on the last mail pickup. You can still request an absentee ballot from your clerk.
Michigan offers early in-person voting in the days before Election Day. Dates, hours and locations are set by your county and local clerk.
Polls are open Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Michigan allows same-day voter registration at your city or township clerk's office with proof of residency.
This campaign is run by family, friends and neighbors. Whatever you can give, a few dollars, a few hours or a few conversations, moves us closer to November 3.
Every contribution pays for yard signs, mailers and the flyers we hand out at doors across our six counties.
Donate $50Contributions are not tax-deductible. Paid for by the Dominica Palacio Trustee Campaign Committee, Haslett, MI 48840
