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Camille Davidson was drawn to SIU School of Law and its people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very deliberate when looking at schools,\u201d said Davidson, who took over as dean in July. \u201cI was most struck by the opportunities that are available at SIU.\u201d<\/p>\n
Davidson was also taken with SIU\u2019s physical location.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the first things I noticed was the nature, the beauty,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s remote enough that distractions are limited, but we\u2019re not far from major cities. It\u2019s the perfect place to come and study law.\u201d<\/p>\n
While face-to-face interactions have been limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, Davidson has been able to get a feel for her new surroundings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a real sense of ownership here,\u201d she said. \u201cStudents are able to see our graduates working in the law profession. We\u2019ve built a pipeline to the profession. We see people working for the public good, and our graduates take that very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with the school\u2019s success, Davidson sees an opportunity to expand the influence of SIU Law.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to engage with our alumni base,\u201d she said. \u201cOur alumni are the best spokespeople for the school. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. I love connecting with people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SIU School of Law is more than a place to learn, it\u2019s a hub for students to gain the necessary experience and education to become effective attorneys.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to provide a full education and experience to our students,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cEverything isn\u2019t covered by grants, and declining state funds have affected everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The need for funding goes well beyond scholarships at SIU Law.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf our students can\u2019t afford to focus on studying for the bar exam and passing it, we\u2019re doing them a great disservice,\u201d Davidson said.<\/p>\n
While many law students find promising careers after their time at SIU, the reality is they deal with the same issues as all students and the added pressure of passing the bar exam.<\/p>\n
\u201cLaw schools have students that face food insecurity and the same real-life issues that all college students face from time to time,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cPart of our promise to them is that we\u2019ll be there when they need assistance. That requires regular investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make a gift to SIU School of Law, visit siuf.org\/law<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Camille Davidson was drawn to SIU School of Law and its people. \u201cI was very deliberate when looking at schools,\u201d said Davidson, who took over as dean in July. \u201cI was most struck by the opportunities that are available at SIU.\u201d Davidson was also taken with SIU\u2019s physical location. \u201cOne of the first things I … Continue reading Connecting with Camille Davidson: SIU Law\u2019s new dean emphasizes alumni, student needs<\/span>