The Southern Illinois University School of Law Diversity Prelaw Summer Institute is inviting high-achieving college sophomores and juniors to gain insight into legal careers and prepare for law school. The weeklong institute is scheduled for May 21-27 and is part of SIU Carbondale’s commitment to diversifying the legal profession. The program is limited to 15 students and is free, including food and housing, an online Law School Admission Test (LSAT) prep course, and transportation to events. The application deadline is March 15. Applications will be reviewed, and those accepted will be notified by email.
The program director, Deidre Powell, who is an associate in the Armstrong Teasdale litigation group St. Louis office and a 2021 SIU law school alumna, said that the institute would provide students with an opportunity to learn about the process of applying to and succeeding in law school, as well as skills needed to succeed in law school. Students will participate in legal writing exercises, case briefings, and a simulated law class. They will also visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, network with community leaders, and visit various litigation firms and the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office.
The institute aligns with SIU’s strategic plan, Imagine 2030, which includes a pillar to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. Last year, students from several universities participated in the program, including Howard University, Skidmore College, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The program aims to expose summer participants to SIU’s law school and the legal field while they pursue their undergraduate degrees. The program seeks to help students interested in attending law school but lacks guidance to avoid deferring their dreams.
