Want to make a difference providing services and resources around immigration issues? Hear from alumni and other professionals working in legal and social services, human resources and diplomacy at Refugee Services of Texas, Catholic Charities of Central Texas, American Gateways, National Instruments and the U.S. Department of State to get advice for how you can get involved.

Founded in 1978, Refugee Services of Texas (RST) is a social-service agency dedicated to providing assistance to refugees and other displaced persons fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group- as well as to the communities that welcome them. RST provides services to hundreds of refugees, asylees, survivors of human trafficking, and related vulnerable populations from over 30 different countries of origin each year. Originating in Dallas, RST now has services centers in Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and the Rio Grand Valley.

Justin Estep is Director of Immigration Legal Services at Catholic Charities of Central Texas in Austin. Catholic Charities was founded more than a century ago by men and women who believed that the collective efforts of the church to faithfully serve people in need could
change the course of poverty in our nation. Originally from Houston, Justin obtained a BBA from The George Washington University in 2005 and a JD from The University of Miami School of Law in 2008. He was formerly an associate attorney at the immigration law firm FosterQuan in Austin, TX, where he worked for five years in employment-based immigration and employer sanctions defense prior to joining Catholic Charities in 2014.

Liane Grametbauer ’92, SU econ grad, is currently Global Mobility & Immigration at National Instruments in Austin. In that role she facilitates the international assignment process for all US inbound & outbound assignments, works with employees to counsel them on questions related to relocation, works with immigration attorneys to facilitate US inbound and outbound immigration, facilitates communication and problem resolution in regards to all expatriate assignments from US to other non-US branches, assists employees and managers in transitioning to other non-US branches and much more.

Mark Mayfield ’76, has spent his career as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State, representing the U.S. government overseas and time spent working in Washington. Mark worked primarily on consular matters, handling visa issues and protecting U.S. citizens overseas. He has extensive crisis management experience and program evaluation skills. He has worked in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East after earning a JD at The University of Texas School of Law and bachelor’s degree in Spanish and history from Southwestern.

Southwestern University supports learning wherever it takes place. The Center for Career & Professional Development contributes to the Southwestern University Student Life MOSAIC initiative by providing advising, programming and resources to help students develop as a whole person. This event helps you to:

  • Make Meaning of the Academic Experience
  • Shape Your Professional Identity