Ceyna Dawson ’26 was recently awarded the Leaders in Law and Community Fellowship (LILAC) at the University of Colorado Law School. This fellowship is aimed at developing law leaders from communities that are underrepresented in the legal field and those who show a strong dedication to serving in public interest law.
“I am so grateful to receive this fellowship because it affirms my commitment to advocate for underrepresented communities through the law,” says Dawson, a Political Science major and Journalism minor.
This fellowship offers a full-ride scholarship to Colorado Law for students who show a commitment to public interest law and community engagement. It also provides fellows with mentors and community support, as well as various networking opportunities.
While CC does not have a standard pre-law track, it does offer Pre-Law Advising and courses that both prepared and inspired Dawson for a career in public interest law. Through these classes, Dawson met and cultivated relationships with local judges and practicing attorneys.
“The classes I took exposed me to so many professionals and helped me start networking in the Colorado Springs area,” Dawson says.
For an assignment in her Political Journalism class, Dawson interviewed Joel M. Pratt, a local attorney specializing in appellate and family law. Dawson took this class during her sophomore year and maintained a relationship with Pratt throughout her time at CC. In Fall 2025, Dawson began interning at Pratt’s law firm, where she works about eight hours a week on different research and writing assignments. She’s learned the details of family law and is currently working on evaluating child custody legislation in a 50-state survey.
“This internship has been so enriching for me,” Dawson says. “I blend the inquisitive skills that I have learned from my Journalism minor and research experience from my Political Science major to handle new assignments.”
Dawson’s time at CC prepared her for law school through its strong liberal arts education and by the continuous support of her classmates, professors, and community members.
“CC allowed me to explore new disciplines safely and this versatility is invaluable,” Dawson says. “Whether it was through becoming a certified wildland firefighter or taking a Comparative Law course, CC gave me the confidence to explore it all. I think this versatility and exposure prepared me to apply for law school and begin this journey. I am sure my education will be challenging, but I feel comfortable taking on law school because of my rigorous CC education.”
