Valedictorian: Nadine Al Annabi, BA '22

Nadine Al Annabi

Name: Nadine Al Annabi 
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Major: Political Science (Honors program), Concentration in Public Law
Minor: English
Awards: Department of Political Science Valedictorian; SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence; Bert and Phyllis Lamb Prize in Political Science; President's Award for Leadership, Outstanding Senior Award; Dr. Seth Spellman Senior Scholar Award; Ralph H. and Dora W. Baker Scholarship Fund; Jean Ellis Poletti Memorial Award; Dean’s List


What activities were you involved in during your time at UAlbany?

I was selected as a Massry Community Service Fellow in Summer 2019 and volunteered at a nonprofit organization called the RED Bookshelf for 400 hours that summer. I was a student assistant at the Office of Student Involvement for 2.5 years in addition to being a peer advisor at the Academic Support Center for two years. During the Spring 2021 semester, I was selected for the Senate Session Assistants program and worked at the Office of New York State Senator Anna Kaplan from February to April 2021 and was hired as her Legislative Assistant until end of Session, June 2021. I also participated in the Semester in Washington Program in Spring 2022 and interned on the hill at the Office of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer from January to May 2022. In the Summer of 2022, I worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant working part-time at a public policy think tank in Albany called the Rockefeller Institute of Government. I was also a member of the Model United Nations Club on campus and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well. 

 

What were some highlight experiences of your undergraduate career?

The highlight of my undergraduate career would be the Semester in Washington program that I participated in during the Spring 2022 semester. I had the opportunity to intern at the Office of Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and I had the most amazing time! I was able to witness historic events like helping the office during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and also gave tours of the Capitol to high-profile visitors of the office. I met brilliant staff and people from different offices and backgrounds. I also just fell in love with D.C. as that was my first ever time living away from home and first time in D.C. as well. 

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of and why? 

I'm most proud of receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award and graduating with a 4.00 GPA, while having been involved in so many ways on campus. 

 

What is next for you after graduation?

I started working as a District Aide at the Office of Congressman Paul Tonko right after graduating in December 2022 and I intend to pursue a law degree as well.