Penn State Dickinson Law Student Announcements

Posts are announcements for the Penn State Dickinson Law community at both locations, Carlisle and University Park, that are archived for future reference.

Winter Storm Preparation and Resources

by

With a major winter storm expected to bring severe weather to Pennsylvania this weekend, the Office of Academic & Student Services wants to ensure you are aware of (1) winter storm preparation and protection protocols, (2) ways to stay informed throughout the storm, and (3) local resources where you can access support.

WINTER STORM PREPARATION & PROTECTION

As you prepare for the extreme cold and heavy precipitation, please heed the following guidance:

Gather Supplies

Have essentials on hand in case travel is limited or power is disrupted:

  • Bottled water
  • Nonperishable food
  • Snow supplies (shovel and ice melt)
  • Medications
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Power banks or portable chargers
  • Blankets
  • Warm clothing
  • Pet food and supplies

Plan Ahead

Simple steps now can make a big difference later:

  • Keep phones, laptops, and power banks charged
  • Plan to stay indoors during severe weather
  • Postpone travel until conditions improve

Think It Through

Consider how you’ll manage if conditions change:

  • How will you stay warm if your power goes out?
  • What food options will you have without electricity?
  • Who can you check in on—or who can check in on you?

Protect Yourself

  • Limit the time you spend outside
  • If you must be outside, dress appropriately (consider a non-cotton base layer, an insulating layer, and a wind- or water-resistant outer shell) and reduce the amount of exposed skin as frostbite can develop quickly in extreme cold conditions
  • If you notice symptoms of hypothermia (shivering, falling body temperature, confusion), check your temperature to ensure a reading at or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature below 95 degrees requires immediate medical attention.
  • Stay hydrated
  • If using a space heater, keep it at least three feet away from anything that could easily catch fire (including drapes, furniture, and bedding)
  • Do not travel during the height of the storm

 

WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

The following resources will help you stay informed throughout the storm:

Power Outages

  • If you experience a power outage or want updates on restoration times, you can view local outage information through FirstEnergy’s outage map.

Pennsylvania Weather

Emergency Alert Information

PSUAlert System

  • Students should stay informed about delays and cancellations by using Penn State’s PSUAlert system (which offers both email and text options). As a reminder, decisions about Carlisle operations are made by Dean Dodge in his capacity as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, while the University Park location follows central university guidance. The policies outlined here apply to both locations during inclement weather. Additionally, registered events and programs are canceled during closures unless extenuating circumstances are communicated directly.
  • LOCAL RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT

In case you need support during this extreme weather, you can find assistance through PA 211:

PA 211 Winter Resources — Pennsylvania Assistance Directory (https://www.pa211.org/winter-resources/)

  • This statewide resource connects people to winter help by entering your zip code, including assistance with heating bills, locating warming centers or shelters, and support during extreme weather events. You can also dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to speak with a resource navigator who can find nearby resources for cold weather and power outages.

Extreme Cold Warming Centers & Shelters

  • A list of Extreme Cold Warming Centers and Shelters in Carlisle can be found here and here; the closest two are located at:

Salvation Army Carlisle – Senior Action Center

20 East Pomfret Street, Carlisle, PA, 17013

(717) 249-5007

Community CARES – Winter Weather Shelter

201 West Louther Street, Carlisle, PA, 17013

(717) 448-8850

  • A list of Warming Centers and Shelters in University Park can be found here and here; the closest two are located at:

Trinity Bellefonte,

128 W. Howard St., Bellefonte, PA 16823

Note: Trinity Bellefonte is staying open 24 hours as a warming center for anyone to get out of the cold and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Out of the Cold – Extreme Weather Shelter

318 South Atherton Street, State College, PA, 16801

(814) 852-8864

  • Centre County residents can also contact Centre Helps, the local 24-hour information and referral hotline, at 800-494-2500 for information and questions about accessing shelter.
  • Students in University Park can find additional resources through Student Care and Advocacy and stay up to date on weather information here.

 

Please do not underestimate the danger posed by extreme weather. We care about your health and safety, and we hope this guidance allows you to stay safe and warm throughout the anticipated storm.

 

Sincerely,

The Academic & Student Services Team

I-TIDE 2026: International Tech & IP Disputes Exchange (Hybrid) (New York, March 3 | San Francisco, March 5)

by

Invitation to Attend: I-TIDE 2026: International Tech & IP Disputes Exchange (Hybrid)
(New York, March 3 | San Francisco, March 5)

Penn State Dickinson Law, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), and the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center are pleased to invite students to attend the complimentary International Tech & IP Disputes Exchange (I-TIDE) 2026 seminars, to be held in New York on Tuesday, March 3, and San Francisco on Thursday, March 5.

Building on the success of the 2024 and 2025 programs, these hybrid seminars bring together leading voices from practice, policy, and academia to examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping intellectual property and international dispute resolution.

Topics include:

  • Key international legal developments affecting AI and emerging technologies
  • Cross-border commercial and IP disputes involving AI
  • Practical strategies for navigating complex, multi-jurisdictional procedures and dispute resolution frameworks

Seminar Details

New York
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 2:00–5:35 pm ET
Hybrid program hosted at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, New York

San Francisco
Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 2:00–5:35 pm PT
Hybrid program hosted at Morrison Foerster, San Francisco

Students interested in international IP, technology law, arbitration, litigation, or AI governance are warmly encouraged to attend. Registration is required for both in-person and remote participation.

Attendance is complimentary, and registrants will also receive access to the webinar recordings after the event.

More information is available on the event website:
https://www.ipos.gov.sg/news/events/i-tide/2026/

Madrid Summer Law Institute – Info Session 1/29/26

by

The Madrid Summer Law Institute (MSLI), a summer program run by University of New Mexico School of Law and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, will be offered this summer from May 26 to June 27, 2026. The program is open to JD students from U.S. schools and JD or LLB students from Canadian law schools who are in good standing after completing their 1L year.

This exciting and enriching program allows students to earn five (5) law school credits over five (5) weeks, while living in the vibrant city of Madrid, Spain. The tuition, living expenses, and other costs are relatively low and are typically covered by student loans. Classes are taught in English, and meet Monday through Thursday only, leaving plenty of long weekends to explore Europe, Africa, and other parts of Spain.

A zoom information meeting about the program will be held on Thursday, January 29, at 7:00 am Pacific Time / 8:00 am Mountain Time / 9:00 am Central Time / 10:00 am  Eastern Time.

Here is the zoom link:

https://unm.zoom.us/j/9159027533

Password: 614861

Please join us and learn all about this program!

If you cannot make this meeting, more information is available on the Madrid Summer Law Institute website. You can also reach out to me directly at martin@law.unm.edu.

Both Locations: Applying for Academic Accommodations

by

Students seeking classroom and/or exam academic accommodations must follow the steps outlined by Student Disability Resources (SDR). Each of the steps below is explained in more detail below:

  1. Complete a short online introductory questionnaire.
  2. Provide necessary documentation. Please consult SDR’s documentation guidelines.
  3. Meet with an SDR representative. Students may schedule this meeting by calling 814-863-1807 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing steps 1 and 2, please call SDR to schedule a meeting as soon as possible, as it may take a week or two to get an appointment.

If you are approved for accommodations, SDR will send you a letter or letters

After you meet with SDR, if you are approved, SDR will send you your accommodations letter, which you should then provide to Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu).

More information is available here; please contact Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu) with questions.

2026 SLU LAW Summer Law Program in Madrid – Info Session 1/27/2006

by

Saint Louis University School of Law is proud to offer the 2026 SLU LAW Summer Law Program in Madrid from May 18, 2026, through June 28, 2026. This ABA-approved program offers a unique immersion into comparative and international law at our beautiful SLU Madrid campus.

Program Highlights

  • Dates: May 18 – June 28, 2026.
  • Academics: Earn up to six credit hours (all instruction in English).
  • The Experience: Classes are held Monday through Thursday, leaving your Fridays free for travel and exploration.
  • Exclusive Access: Program includes site visits to various Spanish legal institutions, including the Spanish Constitutional Court.
  • Bonus: A non-credit “Introduction to Spanish” course is available at no extra cost.

Deadlines & Discounts

Apply by January 30, 2026, to receive a $300 early-application discount. Applicants must be in good standing and must have completed at least one year of study at an accredited law school.

Join Our Information Session

Learn more about the curriculum, housing, and life in Madrid during our upcoming Zoom session:

  • When: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Link: Join Zoom Meeting
  • Password: 152686

Can’t make the session? I am happy to answer your questions or schedule a private advising appointment. Please feel free to reach out to me directly. Email: ira.trako@slu.edu

Student Volunteer Opportunity (Fordham IP Conference)

by

Penn State Dickinson Law’s IP and Innovation Initiative is partnering with the Hansen IP Institute this year for its Annual IP Conference at Fordham, to be held at Fordham University School of Law from April 8 to 10, 2026. As part of this partnership, Dickinson Law students are invited to apply to serve as student volunteers. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in IP, technology, and policy to gain exposure to high-level discussions and to engage directly with judges, scholars, and practitioners.

 

The Hansen IP Conference is widely regarded as the “Davos of the IP world” for its comprehensive coverage of key IP and technology developments across major jurisdictions. The conference brings together senior government officials, civil society leaders, scholars, industry innovators, and practitioners from around the world for high-level discussions, reflection, and meaningful engagement. To foster substantive conversation and networking, attendance is intentionally capped at approximately 450 participants.

 

Benefits of volunteering include:

  • Free entry to the conference
  • The opportunity to contribute a short session report for possible publication on IPKat
  • The chance to interact with speakers and panelists while assisting on-site as a timekeeper or usher

 

Details here: https://fordhamipinstitute.com/program/2026-33rd-annual-ip-conference/.

 

Students interested in volunteering should email Soban Ahmed (ahmed@hansenipinstitute.com) and Vipasa Shah (vshah@hansenipinstitute.com), who are coordinating student participation. Emails should include a brief introduction, and an indication of how the student would like to be involved (e.g., IPKat reporting, on-site assistance, or both).

Both Locations: Applying for Academic Accommodations

by

Students seeking classroom and/or exam academic accommodations must follow the steps outlined by Student Disability Resources (SDR). Each of the steps below is explained in more detail below:

  1. Complete a short online introductory questionnaire.
  2. Provide necessary documentation. Please consult SDR’s documentation guidelines.
  3. Meet with an SDR representative. Students may schedule this meeting by calling 814-863-1807 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing steps 1 and 2, please call SDR to schedule a meeting as soon as possible, as it may take a week or two to get an appointment.

If you are approved for accommodations, SDR will send you a letter or letters

After you meet with SDR, if you are approved, SDR will send you your accommodations letter, which you should then provide to Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu).

More information is available here; please contact Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu) with questions.

Both Locations: Applying for Academic Accommodations

by

Students seeking classroom and/or exam academic accommodations must follow the steps outlined by Student Disability Resources (SDR). Each of the steps below is explained in more detail below:

  1. Complete a short online introductory questionnaire.
  2. Provide necessary documentation. Please consult SDR’s documentation guidelines.
  3. Meet with an SDR representative. Students may schedule this meeting by calling 814-863-1807 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing steps 1 and 2, please call SDR to schedule a meeting as soon as possible, as it may take a week or two to get an appointment.

If you are approved for accommodations, SDR will send you a letter or letters

After you meet with SDR, if you are approved, SDR will send you your accommodations letter, which you should then provide to Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu).

More information is available here; please contact Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu) with questions.

2026 Fred Gray Civil Rights Writing Competition

by

The Fred Gray Civil Rights Writing Competition is a national writing competition honoring the extraordinary contributions of Fred Gray to the civil rights movement. Fred Gray is a renowned civil rights attorney who played a pivotal role in numerous landmark cases that helped dismantle segregation and advance the cause of racial justice in America. Notably, he represented Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

 

Texas Tech University School of Law has partnered with The Lanier Law Firm and the Fred D. Gray Institute for Human and Civil Rights to offer this writing competition to law students around the nation. Detailed information about the writing competition, including the essay topic guidelines and submission process, is available HERE. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Friday, February 20, 2026.

 

Law students will be awarded the following monetary prizes for their winning essays: $7,500 (first place), $5,000 (second place), and $2,500 (third place).

 

If you have any questions about the writing competition, please contact Professor Wendy A. Humphrey at wendy.humphrey@ttu.edu.

Both Locations: Applying for Accommodations

by

Students seeking classroom and/or exam academic accommodations must follow the steps outlined by Student Disability Resources (SDR). Each of the steps below is explained in more detail below:

  1. Complete a short online introductory questionnaire.
  2. Provide necessary documentation. Please consult SDR’s documentation guidelines.
  3. Meet with an SDR representative. Students may schedule this meeting by calling 814-863-1807 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing steps 1 and 2, please call SDR to schedule a meeting as soon as possible, as it may take a week or two to get an appointment.

If you are approved for accommodations, SDR will send you a letter or letters

After you meet with SDR, if you are approved, SDR will send you your accommodations letter, which you should then provide to Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu).

More information is available here; please contact Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu) with questions.

Both Locations: Applying for Accommodations

by

Students seeking classroom and/or exam academic accommodations must follow the steps outlined by Student Disability Resources (SDR). Each of the steps below is explained in more detail below:

  1. Complete a short online introductory questionnaire.
  2. Provide necessary documentation. Please consult SDR’s documentation guidelines.
  3. Meet with an SDR representative. Students may schedule this meeting by calling 814-863-1807 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing steps 1 and 2, please call SDR to schedule a meeting as soon as possible, as it may take a week or two to get an appointment.

If you are approved for accommodations, SDR will send you a letter or letters

After you meet with SDR, if you are approved, SDR will send you your accommodations letter, which you should then provide to Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu).

More information is available here; please contact Dean Santibanez (gps5491@psu.edu) with questions.

2026 Fred Gray Civil Rights Writing Competition

by

The Fred Gray Civil Rights Writing Competition is a national writing competition honoring the extraordinary contributions of Fred Gray to the civil rights movement. Fred Gray is a renowned civil rights attorney who played a pivotal role in numerous landmark cases that helped dismantle segregation and advance the cause of racial justice in America. Notably, he represented Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

 

Texas Tech University School of Law has partnered with The Lanier Law Firm and the Fred D. Gray Institute for Human and Civil Rights to offer this writing competition to law students around the nation. Detailed information about the writing competition, including the essay topic guidelines and submission process, is available HERE. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Friday, February 20, 2026.

 

Law students will be awarded the following monetary prizes for their winning essays: $7,500 (first place), $5,000 (second place), and $2,500 (third place).

 

If you have any questions about the writing competition, please contact Professor Wendy A. Humphrey at wendy.humphrey@ttu.edu.

Daily Announcements Move to Weekly TODAY, December 8th

by

In an effort to reduce the number of emails as we head into final exams, Practice Greatness announcements will move from daily to weekly after Monday, December 8th.  Weekly announcement emails will then go out Wednesday mornings through the end of the semester, final exams, and winter break.  The Practice Greatness daily emails will resume Wednesday, January 7.  The weekly Sunday email of upcoming events has already been paused and will resume January 11.

Daily Announcements Move to Weekly December 8th

by

In an effort to reduce the number of emails as we head into final exams, Practice Greatness announcements will move from daily to weekly after Monday, December 8th.  Weekly announcement emails will then go out Wednesday mornings through the end of the semester, final exams, and winter break.  The Practice Greatness daily emails will resume Wednesday, January 7.  The weekly Sunday email of upcoming events has already been paused and will resume January 11.

Daily Announcements Move to Weekly December 8th

by

In an effort to reduce the number of emails as we head into final exams, Practice Greatness announcements will move from daily to weekly after Monday, December 8th.  Weekly announcement emails will then go out Wednesday mornings through the end of the semester, final exams, and winter break.  The Practice Greatness daily emails will resume Wednesday, January 7.  The weekly Sunday email of upcoming events has already been paused and will resume January 11.

Both: Scholarship Opportunities: ABA Forum on Communications Law Annual Conference and Media Advocacy Workshop

by

Now in its 31st year, the American Bar Association’s Forum on Communications Law is pleased to invite law students to apply for financial support to attend its Annual Conference and Media Advocacy Workshop on February 5-7, 2026, at The Wigwam resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

ABA Forum on Communications Law Conference Scholarships

The Forum awards full scholarships to two law students that include conference registration, travel and lodging. The two winning applicants will have a demonstrated interest in media law and/or First Amendment law, as reflected in their transcript and resume. Other relevant considerations include strength of academic record, experience in the media field, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and the justice system.

ABA Forum on Communications Law Media Advocacy Workshop Scholarships

Prior to the conference, the Forum presents the Media Advocacy Workshop, which provides law students and early career attorneys an opportunity to practice their oral advocacy skills, engage in a pre-publication review exercise and participate in professional development activities tailored to them.

The Forum will award the selected students scholarships between $1,000-$1,500 to help defray travel and lodging costs in addition to offering complimentary registration for the Media Advocacy Workshop (valued at $245 for law students) and the Annual Conference (valued at $445 for students).

Deadlines and More Information

More information and applications are available online:

Assistance for SNAP Recipients

by

Millions of Americans could lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown. In an effort to help SNAP recipients continue accessing the groceries they need amid this gap in aid, Gopuff is offering a $50 credit for SNAP-eligible items, delivered for free in as fast as 15 minutes.

Gopuff is committing up to $10 million in total relief, offering $50 worth of groceries for free – broken into two $25 credits during the month of November – to customers who have a SNAP EBT card connected to their Gopuff account, or who add their SNAP EBT card. The national relief effort is designed to provide quick, seamless access to groceries for families who will suddenly lose essential food aid.

More information HERE

Penn State Harrisburg Counseling & Psychological Services Groups

by Leave a Comment

Penn State Harrisburg Counseling & Psychological Services welcomes Penn State Dickinson Law students from the Carlisle location to join any of the groups offered at the Middletown campus this semester if interested. Please see more information, below:

CAPS Groups – Fall 2025 at Penn State Harrisburg: 

Unwind & Relax– Mindfulness and stress relief practices.

Open Drop-in Group

Mondays 11:30am – 12:30pm ; Starting weekly September 29th

Location: Spiritual Center in SEC

In-person only

Contact: Counselor, Nahed Khalil, LPC: nok5172@psu.edu

 

We Are Survivors – Survivors of sexual violence, trauma and abuse.

Closed Group / pre-screening required to join

Mondays 3:00-4:00pm; Starting weekly September 22nd

Location: CAPS in SEC 205

In-person only

Contact: Dr. Eileen Haase, LPC: erh145@psu.edu

 

Rainbow Room – Queer support and conversation on mental wellness.

Open Drop-in Group

Tuesdays 2:00-3:00pm; Held monthly on 9/23, 10/21 & 11/18

Location: CAPS in SEC 205

In-person only

Contact: Dr. Ashley Boles-Riley: aqb6852@psu.edu

 

Family Matters – Psycho-education group on family matters, family dynamics, generational trauma, divorce and dysfunction.

Open Group

Thursdays 2:30-4:00pm; Starting weekly September 18th

Location: CAPS in SEC 205

In-person only

Contact: Counselor: Davin Rowe, LPC: dpr125@psu.edu

 

Espresso Across Borders – Topic: Tips for stress management, well-being resources for international and domestic students with espresso drinks provided.

Open Drop-in Group

Thursdays 2:00-4:00pm; Starting weekly September 4th

Global Engagement Office; Location: Olmsted E-131

In-person only

Contact: Counselor, Nahed Khalil, LPC: nok5172@psu.edu

 

Recovery Group – Topic: Addiction related conversations

Open Drop-in Group

Tuesdays or Fridays (to be determined, no flyer)

If interested, please contact: Counselor, Reynold Joseph, LPC: rkj5059@psu.edu

 

 

CAPS Workshops Programs Fall 2025 at Penn State Harrisburg:

CAPS Grow Series: Growing Resilience Optimum Wellness Series

Location: Varied in person on campus at Penn State Harrisburg, see flyer.

 

Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. Student Affairs is committed to building a community of belonging for all.

 

Location/Parking details:

Penn State Harrisburg

Address: 777 W Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057

Campus Map: https://harrisburg.psu.edu/map