Halimah Lawson, BA '26

Headshot of Halimah Lawson on the uptown UAlbany campus.
Halimah Lawson (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

Name: Halimah Lawson  

Hometown: Hewlett, NY 

Major: Criminal Justice  

Minor: Political Science and Law and Philosophy 

Awards: Six-time Dean’s List recipient and a three-time Spellman Academic Achievement Award recipient. Lawson also received a New York State Senate Proclamation (Spring 2025), the J. Edgar Hoover Leadership Scholarship (Spring 2025), and the Margaret J. Hughes Memorial Fund Scholarship (Spring 2025, through the New York State Senate). Additional honors include the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (Spring 2026), the Outstanding Senior Award (Spring 2026), the Heart of Service Scholarship (Spring 2026), and the Academic & Professional Distinction Scholarship (Spring 2026), Semi-Finalists + Best Advocate: Moot Court Tournament (Spring 2026). 

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

I served as President of the National Black Law Students Association and Vice President of the Women in Law Association. I was also the Chief Justice of the Student Association Supreme Court and Marshal for Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. In addition, I worked as a Peer Mentor for the Writing and Critical Inquiry Program and was a member of the Rockefeller Dean’s Leadership Council and the Vice President’s Student Advisory Board. I am also a member of the Presidential Honors Society and Omicron Delta Kappa. 

What are some highlight experiences of your undergraduate career? 

One of the most meaningful aspects of my undergraduate experience has been the opportunity to give back to the community that supported me. I was able to make an impact through internships in both the New York State Senate with Senator Cordell Cleare and the New York State Assembly with Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, where I engaged in work focused on creating positive change. 

What’s next for you after graduation? 

After graduation, I will be working in Albany while studying for the LSAT, as I plan to enroll in law school in Fall 2027. 

Do you have any advice for incoming undergraduate students? 

Never forget the people who helped you get to where you are. Always give back and lead with kindness, because you never know what someone else may be going through. It is also important to be mindful of your limits and not take on more than you can manage.