Kumiko Dabney ’25 Finds Fulfillment Through Involvement

Kumiko Dabney ’25 has been on a fast track. She graduated high school a year early and earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University at Albany (SUNY) at 19 years old. After earning her undergraduate degree, Dabney wasn't entirely sure what her next step would be—she only knew that she wanted to continue her education. She began law school at just 20 years old and is on track to graduate in December 2025 at 22.

“Law school just kind of naturally happened for me,” she said.

When it came time to choose the right law school, Dabney found her decision relatively easy after attending the accepted students' day at Albany Law School.

“That was kind of the moment where I was like, ‘Yeah, this is where I'm going to go. It's Albany Law,’” she said. “The faculty, the staff, the students, everybody was so amazing. The community here is very tight-knit. It just felt like a unique experience that you wouldn't get at any other law school.”

Since making her decision, Dabney has been commuting over an hour every day from Port Ewen, NY, to pursue her law school dreams. Despite the long commute, she has immersed herself in every aspect of the law school experience.

“I’ve become really involved here, for which I’m very grateful. I’m a Colby Fellow and a Student Ambassador,” she said.

Dabney’s involvement with Albany Law School’s student organizations began in her first year when she submitted a hand-made quilt for the Kate Stoneman Student Award competition, which honors the first woman to graduate from the school, Kate Stoneman Class of 1898. Her participation in the competition ultimately led her to apply for the Colby Fellowship, an initiative launched in 2019 to support student well-being as part of the school’s Health and Wellness program.

The Colby Fellowship was made possible through a donation from Andrea Colby, class of 1980, an Albany Law graduate and trustee. Although Dabney faces the challenges of demanding coursework and a lengthy commute, she is committed to creating a positive, supportive environment for her fellow students.

“We’re focused on the balance of mind, body, and soul here. It’s about taking the time to care for yourself, almost like watering a plant, and it improves your grades overall as opposed to burning out,” Dabney said. “But it’s not just about grades; it’s about students’ overall well-being.”

As a part of practicing balance and well-being throughout law school, Dabney is a vegetarian, works out twice a day, and continues to foster her hobbies such as crocheting/sewing and is a houseplant collector with over 100 houseplants and counting. In her limited spare time, Dabney has been pursuing acting and can be seen in six featured movies thus far, including: a Hallmark Christmas Movie, Smile 2, and Happy Gilmore 2. Dabney would love to pursue her acting career more seriously during the summer and once she graduates from law school.

Dabney’s dedication to her law school community extends beyond her Colby Fellowship duties. Recently, she won first place in the student competition at the 31st Annual Kate Stoneman Day for her handmade crocheted replica of Kate Stoneman. Her submission was thoughtful, down to every detail. In her submission, she wrote that each color was chosen thoughtfully while making some modern-day updates. The doll’s dress looks similar to Stoneman’s but modernizes the neckline and has simple facial features that were “carefully crafted to depict Stoneman while allowing every woman to see a reflection of herself.” The doll also stands on it’s own, supported by a wooden chopstick, as a homage to Dabney’s Japanese heritage.

As Dabney approaches the end of her law school journey, she remains open to the possibilities ahead in her legal career. While still exploring which area of law to pursue, she is currently gaining hands-on experience through the Immigration Law Clinic at the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law. One thing she is certain of, however, is that she will remain true to herself.

“I think a lot of people, especially professions like law or medicine, end up defining themselves solely by their careers,” she said. “They say, ‘I’m a doctor. I’m a lawyer.’ But I believe it’s important to ask: what else are you? Stay true to who you are when you come into law school and allow yourself to grow and evolve. It’s okay to change, but don’t lose sight of your core self and identity.”

Dabney’s journey is a testament to the power of having a network of support from family and friends, community, balance, and staying grounded in one’s identity, even in the fast-paced world of law.