NANCY M. MARSIGLIA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE
The Institute is designed to give participants an understanding of the background, creation and subsequent history of the unique system of government brought into being by our Constitution and it perpetual interpretation.
THE INSTITUTE’S PRINCIPAL MISSION IS TO EDUCATE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND FOSTER CIVIL DISCOURSE REGARDING THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT – THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS.
JOIN THE MARSIGLIA INSTITUTE
Are you passionate about how public policy shapes our community and ready to step up as an advocate? Tired of today’s divisive political climate and ready to be part of the solution?
Gain a deeper understanding of our system of government and help reclaim civil discourse by participating in the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice, a 12-week U.S. Constitution course presented by Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
Most Americans think of the Constitution as words on paper preserved under glass at the National Archives. In truth, the Constitution is an ongoing conversation among Americans about the meaning of freedom in their daily lives. Marsiglia Institute participants will explore the founding principles of U.S. Government through the articles, Bill of Rights, and amendments of the Constitution; and understand the document’s relevance in modern-day America.
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COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- Learn from notable subject-matter experts. Past guest lecturers include former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu; historian, journalist, and writer Walter Isaacson; journalist and political historian Bob Mann; United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Stephen Higginson; and more.
- Join a diverse class of community champions eager to lift our community through civic engagement.
- Gain a working knowledge of U.S. Government and the skills to engage in civil, yet passionate debate required for democracy to work.
- Leave the program ready to join United Way’s network of advocates fighting for a better, brighter future for all.
- Interested? Watch a Q&A with alumni.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“The Marsiglia Institute covers topics that are so important to both American history and current affairs, making knowledge of this subject matter essential for any person who wants to be engaged civically. The weekly guest speakers were remarkable, and the final group presentation was not just a wonderful learning experience, but a fun one too!”
– Mithun Kamath, Spring 2019
ALUMNI
The Marsiglia Institute brings together participants of every age, race, political persuasion, and background. Click below to see members of previous classes.
Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Graduates 18 New Fellows
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.”
Congratulations to our Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice 2025 fall graduates!
Ronald Brown, Jr.
U.S. Army (Retired)
Chandra Foster
Southern Poverty Law Center
Brittny Soteropulos
Health Blue of Louisiana
Erica Williams
Camellia Collective Company
Susannah Burley
Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL)
Dionne Graham
East St. Tammany Rainbow Child Care Center, Inc.
Stacia Springer
Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts
Karron Williams
Cornerstone Reentry
Emilia DiFabrizio
Ellevate Louisiana
Claire Jecklin
New Orleans Career Center
Julie Stokes
Ellevate Louisiana
Renita Woolridge
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Christopher Etienne
Community Organizer for A Community Voice - Louisiana
Chloe Jobin
Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Anne Ward
Retired Historian and Educator
Paula Zeanah
Tulane University, Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Tiandra Fields
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants
Shantell Miller
City of Kenner
Baylie Williams
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
COURSE OF STUDY
The Institute is comprised of 12 two-hour sessions at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and virtually. In-person participation is encouraged for local participants.
2026 COURSE DATES
August
26
September
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
October
7, 14, 21, 28
November
4, 11 - Graduation
The class runs from 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
The course curriculum was designed and prepared by Martha Lemoine, Mentor Teacher and National Judge for the Center for Civic Education’s “We The People” program. Expert guest lecturers will be invited to weigh in on important topics.
Each participant will receive a copy of the text “We The People, The Citizen & The Constitution.” Students will also have access to the Interactive Constitution App provided by the National Constitution Center. Upon completion of the course, participants will be recognized as a “Distinguished Fellow of the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice.”
APPLICATION PROCESS
Fall 2026 Application Now Open
Independent representatives of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and United Way of Southeast Louisiana will review applications. The process will guarantee full participation from the seven-parish region. Up to 24 participants will be selected annually.
MARSIGLIA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Alumni Association was launched in July 2020 to build graduates’ collective capacity to improve our community through advocacy and public policy and further the Institute’s mission to “reclaim civil discourse.”
United Way, Loyola College of Law Launch Marsiglia Institute of Justice Alumni Association
Virtual event with a keynote by Marc Morial, surprise guest appearance marks formation of the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Alumni Association
Civic engagement is the backbone of a strong community and society. Recognizing this fact, United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law launched the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Alumni Association with a special virtual event on July 2.
The new alumni association will engage the Institute’s nearly 100 graduates to build their collective capacity to improve our community through advocacy and public policy and further the program’s mission to “reclaim civil discourse.”
During the launch event, former New Orleans mayor and National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial spoke to participants on the importance of studying the Constitution from a perspective that recognizes it as an imperfect document, which successive generations have fought to improve and correct injustices like slavery and voting rights exclusions.
“…Our governing document is not a static document. It’s not static in the way it is interpreted, it’s not static in that we can never make it better,” Morial stressed. “Each time it has been made better, it has leaned into embracing the rights of people…We must fight any effort to retrench on the progress that has been made.”
Also during the program, Center for Civic Education Executive Director Christopher Riano made a surprise appearance to encourage alumni to use the tools they learned to take an active role in promoting social justice. The Marsiglia Institute uses the center’s “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” textbook as part of its curriculum.
The event’s date added to its significance – the Continental Congress declared its freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. The Institute’s Alumni Association is currently in a one-month joining period and will convene members in the coming months to determine the association’s structure and programming.
The Marsiglia Institute brings together community members with diverse backgrounds and political ideologies to study the founding principles of the U.S. government through the articles, Bill of Rights, and amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
For more information on the Institute and future classes visit UnitedWaySELA.org/Marsiglia-Institute.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Patty Riddlebarger, Co-Chair Madalyn Schenk, Co-Chair
NANCY M. MARSIGLIA ADVISORY BOARD
- Dean Madeleine Landrieu
- Michael Williamson
- Clancy Dubos
- Raphael Cassimere, Jr.
- Michael J. Marsiglia
- Charmaine Caccioppi
NANCY M. MARSIGLIA ADVISORY BOARD
- Dean Madeleine Landrieu
- Michael Williamson
- Clancy Dubos
- Raphael Cassimere, Jr.
- Michael J. Marsiglia
- Charmaine Caccioppi
NANCY M. MARSIGLIA SELECTION COMMITTEE
- Patty Riddlebarger, Co-Chair
- Madalyn Schenk, Co-Chair
- Dean Madeleine Landrieu
- Martha Lemoine
- Charmaine Caccioppi
- Clancy DuBos
- Michael J. Marsiglia
- Michael Williamson
CURRICULUM & COURSE STUDY INSTRUCTOR
- Martha Lemoine
LEAD STAFF
- Pamela Mosley-Allison
ABOUT NANCY M. MARSIGLIA
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Nancy M. Marsiglia came to New Orleans to attend Newcomb College in 1971. Born to parents who gave household items to people struggling to make ends meet, she learned from an early age the importance of volunteerism and giving back.
Marsiglia devoted her entire life to social and political justice. Whether advocating for better educational opportunities for children or equal rights for women, she passionately threw herself behind every effort to make equality under the law a reality.
Marsiglia was a founding member of United Way’s Women United, formerly the Women’s Leadership Initiative. She was an enthusiastic participant in the pilot program that led to the Institute at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
Her countless civic endeavors included leadership roles at the Louisiana Children’s Museum, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Agenda for Children, the Audubon Nature Institute, Metairie Country Day School, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, the drive to build the Aquarium of the Americas and Women of the Storm.
Marsiglia’s son, Michael J. Marsiglia, a 2005 Loyola University New Orleans College of Law graduate, remembered his mother as a tireless community activist. “To her, uplifting the entire community was more than a vague societal goal it was a personal calling, a moral imperative incumbent on every individual.”
“Nancy’s friends and family can think of no better way to honor her legacy of service than for Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and United Way of Southeast Louisiana to promote a more respectful civil discourse, engage a more informed public in our community, and attempt to inspire civic engagement in the future,” said Madalyn Schenk, Marsiglia’s friend.
SUPPORT THE INSTITUTE
The Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute’s principal mission is to educate members of our community about the founding principles of our government and foster civil discourse regarding the American Experiment – the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Marsiglia Institute organizers are seeking gifts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program. Just as the Constitutional Convention delegates and signers cemented the American Experiment, so too will your gift solidify the future of this important initiative. If you have any questions regarding donating to the Institute, please contact Pamela Allison at pamelaa@unitedwaysela.org or 504.827.6866.
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Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice
The Institute is designed to give participants an understanding of the background, creation and subsequent history of the unique system of government brought into being by our Constitution and it perpetual interpretation.
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