The Public Policy Institute (PPI) at Charleston School of Law is pleased to announce three new community partnerships for the Fall 2026 semester, continuing our mission of advancing nonpartisan, evidence-based public policy research while providing students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
This semester, teams of PPI Student Research Fellows will partner with Sustain SC, Able SC, and the Lowcountry Food Bank to examine three timely policy challenges affecting South Carolina: responsible preparation for energy-intensive industrial development, persistent gaps in healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and people with disabilities, and strategies to reduce food insecurity across the state.
Each project will pair second- and third-year law students with a community partner to produce comprehensive legal and policy analyses designed to support informed decision-making by policymakers, nonprofit organizations, and other public stakeholders.
“Our goal is not to advocate for predetermined outcomes,” said Jennifer Wilkins, Director of the Public Policy Institute. “Rather, we seek to equip decision-makers with in-depth research, legal analysis, and practical policy options that help communities navigate increasingly complex issues.”
Working alongside Sustain SC, students will explore policy approaches that can help South Carolina responsibly prepare for continued growth in energy-intensive industrial development. As the state experiences increased interest from emerging industries with significant energy demands, the project will examine legal and policy frameworks that promote reliable infrastructure, economic competitiveness, environmental stewardship, and long-term community prosperity.
Rather than focusing on a single development model, the research will evaluate how states are balancing economic opportunity with sustainable resource planning and public interests, identifying best practices that may inform future decision-making in South Carolina.
In partnership with Able SC, student researchers will examine strategies for addressing persistent gaps in healthcare coverage affecting low-income South Carolinians and individuals with disabilities. The project will evaluate existing state and federal programs, emerging policy innovations from across the country, and opportunities to improve access to healthcare while recognizing the diverse fiscal, legal, and administrative considerations facing policymakers.
Although healthcare coverage has long been an area of policy debate, recent legislative changes at both the federal and state levels have renewed attention to how to respond to evolving healthcare needs and ensure that vulnerable populations can access essential services.
Working with the Lowcountry Food Bank, students will study strategies for minimizing food insecurity in South Carolina by examining the interaction between public nutrition programs, charitable food networks, agricultural policy, and innovative community-based initiatives.
The project comes at a time when changes to federal nutrition policy have prompted renewed discussion about how states, nonprofit organizations, and local communities can strengthen food systems and support families facing food insecurity. Researchers will evaluate evidence-based approaches that improve access to nutritious food while considering the unique needs of rural communities, urban food deserts, and South Carolina’s agricultural economy.
Together, the three projects reflect the Public Policy Institute’s commitment to addressing pressing public policy challenges and more broadly embody the Law School’s guiding motto, Pro Bono Populi—“for the good of the people”—by leveraging legal scholarship and student engagement in service of the public interest. While recent federal developments have heightened the urgency surrounding issues such as healthcare access, nutrition assistance, and infrastructure planning, the Institute’s work remains focused on identifying practical, legally sound, and evidence-based policy options rather than advancing particular political viewpoints.
Throughout the semester, student researchers will engage with legal authorities, academic literature, stakeholder perspectives, and comparative policy models from across the country. Each team will culminate its work by producing a comprehensive report and presenting its findings to its community partner.
Beyond supporting the immediate needs of each organization, the Institute hopes these reports will serve as valuable resources for policymakers, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations throughout South Carolina. By identifying effective policy frameworks, implementation considerations, and lessons learned from other jurisdictions, the research has the potential to provide blueprints that can be adapted and replicated as communities confront similar challenges in the years ahead.
The Public Policy Institute was established to transform legal education into a living engine for community impact by connecting law students with nonprofit organizations in need of rigorous research support. Through experiential learning, students develop practical research, analysis, and communication skills while contributing meaningful work that helps strengthen communities across South Carolina.
The Public Policy Institute at Charleston School of Law is a nonpartisan experiential learning initiative dedicated to advancing evidence-based solutions to pressing public policy challenges. The Institute connects law students with nonprofit and public interest organizations to conduct high-quality legal and policy research that informs decision-making and promotes the public good. The Institute accepts proposals from potential community partners twice a year through a public RFP process. The program also engages volunteers with subject matter expertise to advise student research teams. To learn more about the Institute and how to get involved, check out our website at charlestonlaw.edu/ppi.
Sustain SC is a statewide non-profit that exists to build and grow a more sustainable South Carolina at the intersection of commerce and conservation. We work with businesses to meet their sustainability goals with local solutions to benefit our economy, environment, and people. In collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit partners, we work to advance sustainable economic growth and long-term community resilience. To learn more about Sustain SC’s programs, please visit sustainsouthcarolina.org.
Able SC is a disability-led organization seeking transformative change across systems, communities, and individuals. Since 1994, we’ve remained a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability nonprofit that seeks to make South Carolina a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. To learn more about Able SC’s programs and services, please visit able-sc.org.
Lowcountry Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America network and serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina. We are a leader in addressing food insecurity in our region, annually assisting over 200,000 people through our network of 240+ partner agencies, on-site meal programs, school programs, senior programs, veterans’ groups, and shelters. We distribute both shelf-stable and fresh foods, provide nutrition education, and strive to address the root causes of food insecurity by working collaboratively with other organizations and across sectors. We also engage in advocacy to educate community leaders and lawmakers about the issues and policies impacting our work and our neighbors. To learn more about Lowcountry Food Bank’s programs and services, please visit lowcountryfoodbank.org.
Charleston School of Law hosted the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) this week. The student information session was led by Lt. Lindsay Twedt (‘24). The program enables law students to explore the opportunity to apply for the Collegiate Office Candidate program while completing their law degree. #LawSchool #SCLaw #CharlestonLaw #JAG #JAGC
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