Have you read every word of the U.S. Constitution? No? The newest graduates of the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice could likely recite them for you.
The Marsiglia Institute of Justice is a 12-week 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 30, participants of the fall 2023 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 Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit Judge Tiffany Chase – six 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 2023 graduates include:
- Lynette Adams, Retired, Louisiana Supreme Court, Office of the Judicial Administrator
- Shantrice Bailey, Center for Employment Opportunity
- Sadie Becnel, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
- Kheri Billy, Reconcile New Orleans, Inc.
- Lori Bush, Metairie Park Country Day School
- Liuting Chen, Eurasia Foundation
- Michelle Delery, Entergy Corporation
- Marissa Fielding, United Way of Southeast Louisiana
- Anthony Gardner, DePaul Community Health Centers
- Valerie Grubb, Val Grubb & Associates Ltd.
- Aubrey Harris, The Aubrey Harris Law Firm LLC
- August Huete, University of New Orleans & Army National Guard
- Dolfinette Martin, Operation Restoration
- Debra Salbador, Tulane University
- Tifferney White, Louisiana Children’s Museum
- Gina Womack, Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children
- Renee Zack, Retired
- Charles Zeanah, Tulane University
Applications for the fall 2024 class of the Marsiglia Institute of Justice will open mid-2024. Learn more at UnitedWaySELA.org/Marsiglia-Institute.