Has this year’s election made you more curious about our country’s government, system of justice, and political policies? The recent graduates of the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice spent the past 12 weeks digging into the details of the U.S. Constitution and exploring the implications of our nation’s laws to gain a better understanding of what makes our Democracy tick.
The Marsiglia Institute is a U.S. Constitution course created by United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law to reclaim civil discourse. The class brings together a diverse group of community members to explore the Constitution through its articles, Bill of Rights, and amendments; and understand the document’s relevance in modern-day America.
On November 25, participants of the fall 2024 session gathered at Loyola College of Law for their final test - a mock congressional hearing with real judges.
During the hearings – presided over by U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, U.S. Circuit Judge Stephen A. Higginson, and Dean of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Madeleine Landrieu – four groups of students presented arguments and answered questions on a constitutional issue.
After successfully defending their positions, participants received certificates recognizing them as a “Distinguished Fellow of the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice.”
Marsiglia Institute fall 2024 graduates include:
Sharee Camel, GG’s Herbal Ministry
Ellen Clements, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Janaki Comeaux, NextEra Energy Resources
Betsy Davidson, Retired
Joan Hall, Department of the Interior
Cai Johnson, Morning Wings Lawn Care, LLC
Blaine Moncrief, Couhig Partners, LLC
Rebecca Mowbray, Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR)
Mary Anne Mushatt, Self-Employed
Marla Jones Newman, Mother Jones
Angelique Phipps, Foundation for Louisiana
Caryn Rodgers-Battiste, Bright Moments, LLC
John Sillars, Second Harvest Food Bank
Dionne St. Etienne, Boys Town Louisiana
Lacie Tillman, City of New Orleans – Health Department
Robin Vogt, Metairie Park Country Day School
Applications for the fall 2025 class of the Marsiglia Institute of Justice will open mid-2025. Learn more at UnitedWaySELA.org/Marsiglia-Institute and view photos from the graduation event.