UVA Batten Leadership
Batten’s leadership is dedicated to fulfilling the School’s mission by accelerating our institution in the direction of positive impact and advancing a vision for the future.
Meet the Dean
Ian H. Solomon is dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, where he leads a multidisciplinary faculty of scholars and practitioners who are committed to creating new knowledge, developing ethical and effective leaders, and advancing solutions to humanity’s greatest policy challenges.
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Maggie AndersonChief of Staff and Senior Director of Strategic InitiativesMaggie is the Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Dean of the Batten School. She joined Batten from the City of Richmond, Virginia, where she most recently served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Policy, leading the City’s local, state, and federal policy, legislative, advocacy, and communications strategies.
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James R. CathroDirector of Finance and Business ServicesJames is the Director of Finance and Business Services at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
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Jeff ChidesterManaging Director of Business Development & AdmissionsJeff Chidester is the Managing Director of Business Development & Admissions, where he oversees recruitment into the Batten School’s academic and lifelong learning programs.
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Eileen ChouAssociate Dean for Academic AffairsEileen Chou, associate dean for academic affairs and Batten Family Bicentennial Teacher-Scholar Leadership Professor of Public Policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, researches the organizational, social, and psychological forces that shape individual and group behavior in organizational settings.
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Amanda CrombieSenior Assistant Dean for Students and Academic ProgramsAmanda Crombie is the Batten School’s Senior Assistant Dean for Students and Academic Programs and is responsible for the operational aspects of our academic programming and overall student experience from matriculation and orientation through graduation.
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Nicki DeuelExecutive Director of Marketing and CommunicationsAs the executive director of marketing and communications at the Batten School, Deuel leads the comprehensive communications, marketing, and brand development plan to enhance the school’s reach and advance strategic objectives in key audience areas including student prospects, students, and alumni; academic research and impact; and donor prospects and fundraising.
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Jon HolmstedDirector of DevelopmentJon is the director of development for the Batten School and has worked in University-affiliated development roles since 2018. He focuses on building relationships with donors, alumni, and other stakeholders to advance the philanthropic priorities of the Batten School and Dean Ian H. Solomon, focusing on major gifts development and overall alumni participation.
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William Mark OuttenDirector of Information Technology and School SystemsMark was most recently the Director of Technology for the Orange County Public Schools in Orange, VA, has over 20 years of education-related technology leadership and management experience, worked in private industry for a Hewitt Associates, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He brings a wealth of strategic and practical education technology experience to Batten.
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Jill RockwellSenior Assistant Dean of Career Advancement and Alumni EngagementJill Rockwell, Senior Assistant Dean of Career Advancement and Alumni Engagement at UVA Batten, and her team are focused on the professional success of our graduates and alumni as well as activating our alumni network in support of the school.
Alumni Advisory Board
The Batten Alumni Advisory Board (BAAB) facilitates dynamic communication and relationships between the Batten School and its ever-expanding global network of change agents.
Foundation Advisory Board
The board of industry leaders helps to strengthen the link between UVA Batten and the world our students seek to influence, as well as guide the fiduciary responsibilities for the Batten Foundation.

