What is every migrant family confronting the immigration system had an advocate? VIISTA trains non-lawyer immigrant advocates to achieve justice. Online, scalable and affordable, it is a new educational certificate program offered by Villanova University. Find out more and join the email list here, immigrantadvocate.villanova.edu

1. VIISTA
Equipping Immigrant Advocates
to Address Access to Justice
Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates
Professor Michele R Pistone
Villanova University
@profpistone

2. What if every migrant confronting
the immigration system had an
advocate?

3. 500,000
Immigration
applications waiting
to be heard
July 31, 2017
We believe everyone deserves an
advocate.
VIISTA trains students to become immigrant advocates
and Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives.
The program leads to a Certificate in Immigration Advocacy from Villanova
University’s College of Professional Studies.

4. Module 1 Module 2 Module 3
How to successfully work
with immigrants
with skillset to interview immigrants and
appreciate the global migration
phenomenon and immigration
ecosystem
Train to become a
partially accredited
representative
with skillset to represent immigrants
applying affirmatively for immigration
benefits from US Citizenship and
Train to become a
fully accredited representative
(same as partially accred rep)
PLUS skillset to represent and defend
immigrants against deportation in
immigration courts
Session 1 | Session 2 Session 3 | Session 4 Session 5 | Session 6
Units 1-7 Units 15-21 Units 29-35Units 8-14 Units 22-28 Units 36-42
VIISTA: Aspiring advocates can take any of 3 paths.
Module 1 | Module 1 + Module 2 | Module 1 + Module 2 + Module
3

5. We reinvented the learning
experience.
Learner-centered
& holistic
Consultation with
community
stakeholders &
employers prior to
building curriculum
Interdisciplinary
Practical &
Project-Based
And made it online & scalable.

6. Our interdisciplinary team includes
profs, practitioners, judges &
experts in teaching and learning.
Sample Items in Portfolio
Name Position and Organization
Catherine Wilson Chair, Department of Public Admin., Villanova University
Karyn Hollis Chair, Department of Cultural Studies, Villanova University
Ed Hastings Department of Theology, Villanova University
Lynne Hartnett Chair, Graduate History, Villanova University
Steve Schultz Writing Specialist, Villanova Law
Lori Corso Librarian and Legal Research Instructor, Villanova Law
Candace Centeno Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director Legal Writing, Villanova Law
Judi Bildhauer Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Kris Clerkin Principle, Volta Learning
Erin Corcoran Executive Director, Kroc Institute for Peace, Notre Dame University
Rebecca
Feldmann
Visiting Assistant Professor, Villanova Law

7. Sample Items in Portfolio
Name Position and Organization
Shea Rhodes Institute to Combat Sex Trafficking, Villanova Law
Judge Paul
Schmidt
Former Chairperson of Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigration Judge
Susan Schmidt Assistant Professor of Social Work, Luther College
Wendy Wyledala Deputy Director for Legal Technical Assistance, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Ayo Gansallo HIAS PA and Adjunct Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Law,
Marcy Gonzalez Chief Operating Officer and DOJ Accredit Representative, Latinos Progresando
Kate Kazin Principle, Volta Learning
JC Lore Professor, Rutgers Camden Law and National Institute of Trial Advocates, Author of Modern Trial
Advocacy
Rena Cutlip-
Mason
Chief of Programs, Tahirih Justice Center
Our interdisciplinary team has more
than 200 years of immigration
experience.

8. We connected the dots for the
students.Because Course Topics are not used in isolation on the job, we intentionally designed the
Learning Activities to teach multiple Course Topics, just like they present on the job

9. And embedded all Course Topics in
actionable learning goals.
Module 2
Sample
Learning
Goals
 Evaluate a case for immigration eligibility
 Engage in self-care
 Analyze and plan an immigration case
 Prepare an application to submit to USCIS
 Maintain an office case file for a client
 Draft persuasive professional documents
 Conduct a thorough intake interview with a potential
client
 Practice ethical client service and advocacy
 Evaluate a case for immigration eligibility

10. These learning goals are tested
through formative assessment tools
(quizzes, rubrics, discussion
boards) and capstone activities to
pull all activities together.

11. Professional Learning Portfolios
provide direct evidence of student
learning. Professional Letter to Local Immigrant-Serving
Org.
 Reflection on Providing Trauma-Informed Care
 Bookmark Links to National Immigration
Ecosystem
 Letter for Future Self
 Memorandum to Senior Lawyer
 Memorandum to File: Interview Summaries
 Interview Plans
 Recorded Segment of an Interview
Sample Items in Portfolio

12. VIISTA prepares students for work
with immigrants in various
capacities.
DOJ Accredited
Representative
Paralegal
Court Clerk
DHS Employee
Counselor
Teacher
Social/Pastoral Worker
Health Care
Worker

13. 22 Total
Participants
8 Countries
Represented
VIISTA Pilot Program: Participant Profile
Age Range22-71
4Races/Ethnicitie
s
Technolog
y
Healthcare
Education
Consultin
g
Communication
s
Legal Services
Industrie
s Churches
Development
Non-Profits
Volunteering

14. VIISTAVillanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates
Professor Michele R Pistone
Villanova University
@profpistone
pistone@law.villanova.edu
To learn more or join our email list, go to
Immigrantadvocate.villanova.edu
or contact