May 18, 2023
Media Advisory: SIU School of Law hosts Diversity Prelaw Summer Institute next week
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Thirteen high achieving juniors and seniors from colleges around the country will gain insight on legal careers and preparing for law school next week at Southern Illinois University School of Law’s Diversity Prelaw Summer Institute.
The institute, Sunday through Saturday, May 21-27, is part of SIU Carbondale’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are a priority for the SIU System and one of the pillars of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan,” said Camille Davidson, SIU School of Law dean. “The School of Law is dedicated to diversifying the legal profession. We are excited to welcome these bright, talented undergraduate students to our campus and hope they will return to Carbondale as Salukis to earn their law degrees and become lawyers.”
Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to interview SIU School of Law faculty and participating students and cover events during the week, including activities at the Lesar Law Building between 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday and 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
During the week, students will participate in legal writing exercises, case briefings and a simulated law class, and they will learn about identifying legal career opportunities and financing law school. In addition, they will network with community leaders and visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee; the Armstrong Teasdale litigation firm in St. Louis; the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office in Jackson and Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysboro. See the institute’s program for full details.
The institute is free and includes food and housing, an online Law School Admission Test (LSAT) prep course and transportation to events.
Deidre Powell, an associate in the Armstrong Teasdale litigation group St. Louis office and a 2021 SIU law school alumna, assisted with the inaugural institute in May 2022 and is this year’s program coordinator.
To make arrangements, contact Carly Holtkamp, SIU School of Law director of external relations, at 618-453-8312 or carly.holtkamp@siu.edu, or Deidre Powell, program coordinator at dpowell@atllp.com or 618-593-0771.