Feature Stories 2025: Aaliyah Encarnacion '25: Advocating for justice and empathy

Since she was eight years old, Aaliyah Encarnacion knew that the justice system needed to change. It was at that age that she tragically lost her father to gun violence, an event that changed her life forever. Now, as a philosophy and crime and justice studies (CJS) dual major on the pre-law track, Encarnacion is working towards being a part of that change.

"Because he was a Black man, I believe there were systemic racism and biases that impacted my father’s death. There was a hospital and police station less than ten minutes away, but it took them over half an hour to arrive on the scene. The case went cold within two months because they presumed gang activity. That moment impacted me for the rest of my life."

Since then, Encarnacion has been pursuing a path towards a more equitable criminal justice system. Throughout high school, she planned on becoming a district attorney. However, her dreams changed when she began studying at UMassD.

"In my CJS classes, I studied abolition and criminal justice reform. Accompanying that with my philosophy major, I was challenged to look at things differently and really dissect the criminal justice system in an intimate way," she said.

"Studying abolition really hit home. Right then and there, I knew that I wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer and work with abolitionist groups. That's where my passion lies. I want to exonerate wrongly convicted people, lower their sentences, and possibly get them off death row."

Career preparation through hands-on internships

"During the first semester of my senior year I did an internship at the Bristol County District Attorney's office, and this semester I'm doing an internship at a correctional facility. They’re two completely different areas, so it’s been very eye-opening," she said.

"Interning with the District Attorney was an amazing experience that I'll value forever. Although that’s not where I want to end up, I knew it would be important for me to understand the function of the DA’s office when I'm working as a defense attorney one day. Having that experience is crucial for me as I move forward in my career."

Encarnacion's passion lies closer to what she does through the Inside-Out program, where she takes classes alongside incarcerated people within the correctional facility.

"Through this program we’re getting to know our classmates, hear their stories, and discuss crucial readings and topics with each other. In my career, I'm going to be interacting with people who are already incarcerated, so this experience has shaped the lawyer that I will become."

A future in law

Encarnacion recently submitted her law school applications, including to UMass Law. "They offer so many undeniable benefits. I applied to the Public Interest Law Fellowship program, where if you dedicate 200 hours of community service and agree to work in the public sector for four years after graduating, you get 50% off your tuition and fees. UMass Law is a really smart option."

Studying philosophy

"I love philosophy. I took a philosophy class during my first semester, and immediately knew I had to join the major. What I love most about philosophy is that it challenges your beliefs in ways you would never expect. I know people steer away from that because it’s uncomfortable, but I think it’s crucial, especially with the career I want to go into."

"Studying philosophy has given me the opportunity to explore new belief systems, but it’s also made me defend my own. I think it’s important to challenge those foundational values because the justice system itself is not black and white. Philosophy is about breaking that up and looking in the gray areas."

Advocating for empathy on campus

For Encarnacion, one of the most rewarding experiences as a UMassD student was her position as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for the Student Government Association, where she works with marginalized communities on campus.

"We hold workshops and listen to the stories of students whose lives have been affected by the current political state of the world. Although I’m not targeted by the same issues, hearing what’s important to them makes it important to me. If I wasn't so involved, I wouldn’t have found a place of community that feels like home. The community that I've built here is so special to me, and it’s because of my involvement."

"Their problems become our problems. That makes me passionate about advocating for their needs. I believe that if we let one area fall short and turn our heads to injustice somewhere, then it can happen anywhere. I would never want that to happen to any group or any person."

Studying abolition really hit home. Right then and there, I knew that I wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer and work with abolitionist groups. That's where my passion lies.