By Ava Steffens

First-year law student Jodie Housley is a scholarship recipient and nontraditional student whose 17-year career in public education led her to SIU.

Between the small class sizes, the active alumni network, and the connections and extra emphasis on professional development offered through the program, she knew SIU was the right fit.

“I really like how we were welcomed as first-year law students,” she said. “It made SIU feel like home before the semester even started.”

Housley received the Al H. and James Chesser scholarship, which is awarded to first-year SIU Simmons Law School students. The fund was established by the Honorable David Herndon in recognition of his grandfather and uncle. She adds that receiving the scholarship was the catalyst that helped her move across the country to start her journey as a Saluki.

She worked in Washington public education for 17 years, teaching eighth-grade history and English. She also served as president of her teachers’ union, where she discovered her passion for justice by working with district administrators to resolve student-teacher disputes.

“I had a soft spot for it in my heart,” she said. “I began to look into law schools, and SIU just really seemed to fit what I wanted.”

She shares that within her first few days in Carbondale, she experienced heat exhaustion while on a hike with her dog. Although she considers herself an outdoorsy person, she was admittedly unprepared for the Southern Illinois heat, especially as someone who is “from the Pacific Northwest, where the hottest day is 75 degrees.”

“A few days later, I got a phone call from Layla Murphy, who is the director of Admissions with the law school, asking me if I was alright,” she said. “At that point, I had not even met anyone there yet. I just thought it was a special thing to do, and that it meant that Southern Illinois has a really caring community.”

Housley highlights that SIU’s tight-knit community, especially within the law school, was another feature of the university that stuck with her, along with the natural landscape of Southern Illinois.

“It is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever been to. I love the way it is laid out, between the trees, walking path, and the benches along the lake.”

She adds that attending law school has been a dream of hers for a long time, and that the path involved plenty of “twists and turns.” As someone who considers herself to be a lifelong learner, she said receiving her scholarship felt like being in the right place at the right time.

When she first received the email notification about the scholarship, she was in disbelief.

“It took me a while to process it at first,” she said. “I immediately grabbed my dog and went for a walk on the beach right by my house. I took it as a sign that this was exactly what I was supposed to do, and where I was supposed to be.”

Housley adds that the scholarship “fueled her fire” to pursue law at SIU and was a significant part of her decision to commit. With the scholarship, she did not have to borrow money, allowing her to cover moving and living expenses.

“Law school is hard, especially with financial stress on top of it,” she said. “I just have a higher level of comfort, safety, and relaxation that I would not have had without that scholarship.”

In the future, Housley hopes to return to SIU and share her experiences in the public sector through a speaker session or luncheon. Many law school graduates remain connected to SIU by returning to share their experiences with current students.

“I have never been motivated by money. Ever since I can remember, I have wanted people to be treated fairly and equitably. And that is what will help me continue my public service path, especially when I am not burdened with student loan debt.”

As one of only 21 universities nationwide, out of 4,000, recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both R1 Research and Opportunity University status, SIU is dedicated to advancing discovery and expanding access to higher education for students from all backgrounds.

When you give to programs like SIU Simmons Law School, you empower students from all backgrounds to pursue their passion, overcome barriers and become part of the next generation of leaders. Your support changes lives. Make a gift today to help shape a brighter future at siuf.org/give.