Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism and a commitment to equitable, efficient, and effective justice.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Carly Holtkamp, Director of Law School External Relations at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School.
At SIU Law, Carly is responsible for strategic oversight and management of law school resources engaged in alumni relations, community and business relations, marketing, media relations, communications, and social media.
SIU Law celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, with a 24% increase in first-year students and the most diverse classes in more than a decade. In 2024, first-year student enrollment grew even larger, with 112 1L students.
What led you to your current role?
I spent 10 years in undergraduate student activities and engagement. I was ready for a change, and I wanted to have a bit more of a work/life balance. The Director of External Relations position at the law school opened and it was the perfect career move for me at the time.
What makes the experience at SIU Law unique?
We are a small community. We get a lot accomplished with a small staff and faculty, who work hard every day to provide the best experience for our students while providing invaluable resources to our community and alumni.
SIU Law has said that it is attracting a more diverse student population. Why is that important?
A diverse student body brings a variety of viewpoints, experiences, and cultural backgrounds. This enriches classroom discussion and legal debates, and helps students develop a well-rounded understanding of the law by considering different perspectives.
Overall, diversity enhances the educational experience, prepares students for real-world legal practice, and contributes to a more just and representative legal system.
What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting law students today?
I would say that finances tend to be the issue I hear about the most in my position. We work hard with the SIU Foundation to provide as many scholarships as possible for our students. We are constantly working to find the right donors that can provide even more opportunities for our students.
Are there notable things happening at SIU Law this year that you would like to share with our audience?
We wrapped up our 50th Anniversary in the spring, so we are taking a bit of a pause in large events as we search for a new Dean. That being said, we are excited to host the Illinois Supreme Court on campus in March.
The Commission is dedicated to advancing civility and professionalism among Illinois’ lawyers and judges. How does SIU Law advance or teach these principles to students?
We conduct an induction ceremony in partnership with the Commission at the start of each year. Each new class of students writes an oath of professionalism that they recite at the induction ceremony and at their commencement ceremony.
The creation of the oath by each new class gives them the opportunity to discuss professionalism and how they plan to conduct themselves in the future.
We also host an Interdisciplinary Professionalism Day with the SIU School of Medicine each fall where first-year law students, medical students, and physician assistant students spend an afternoon together working through a legal and medical problem with the guidance of legal and medical professionals from the area.
There is a shortage of new attorneys in rural Illinois. How does SIU Law encourage its graduates to stay local and practice in Southern Illinois?
Ultimately our graduates are going to start their careers where they want, but we do our best to inspire them to stay local by encouraging them to participate in internships and externships in Southern Illinois.
We continue to promote, to potential students and current students, that SIU Simmons Law School was established in the public interest to serve the public good.
Our Professionalism Spotlight recognizes legal professionals throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews here.
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