Meet the BA and Accelerated MPP Lead Ambassadors

Each year, the Batten Admissions team recruits Batten Ambassadors to help share the student experience with prospective students. Each Ambassador brings a unique perspective on life at Batten, and you will see them at many of our events like open office hours and information sessions, all of which can be found on our events webpage. Read on to learn more about our Ambassadors, and reach out to them if you have any specific questions! Additionally, we are excited to announce that you can now make appointments with them in our online appointment scheduler. 

Meet the Lead Ambassadors

Name: Mariana Ortegon Andrade

Hometown: Fairfax, VA // Cali, Colombia

Year: BA Class of 2026 

Other Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Second major in Global Development Studies 

Policy Interests:  Immigration, International Human rights, labor and workplace safety

Email: kak9by@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: Before my first year, I had never heard the term “public policy,” yet after participating in the inaugural Bridge to Batten Cohort (B2B), I learned what public policy was and how it could be used to enact social change. Through Professor Paul Martin’s instruction and peer mentorship, I understood how policies and norms at UVA, like checking off a box to choose your UVA insurance plan or feeling intimidated to attend a professor’s office hours, are not only individual issues, they are public problems that can be changed through advocacy. Knowing I had peers in B2B applying to Batten solidified my decision to pursue the degree.

Favorite Batten Project or Class: My favorite Batten project so far has been in LPPP 3620: Engaging Policy Communities, where my team and I wrote a multi-phase report on contemporary child labor in industrial and construction work in the US. Our team created a social media account and a short form video interview to raise awareness and representation that was later shared with relevant communities on grounds.

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Senior Resident with Housing and Residence Life 

Fun Fact About Me: I love coffee!

Reach Out To Me About: How to balance a double major, deciding if Batten is for you, application writing, finding community at UVA.

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Mondays 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 PM, and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM

Name: Cat Ballard 

Hometown: Winchester, VA

Year: Accelerated MPP Class of 2026 

Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Foreign Affairs

Policy Interests: Environmental, Equity, and International policy

Email: fsh3qd@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: I came to UVA with the goal of a 3+1 master’s, but I was undecided on my field of interest. After learning about Batten’s accelerated MPP my second semester first year, I quickly became interested in the program’s applied coursework and focus on quantitative and qualitative studies. Ultimately, I chose Batten for its tight-knit, inclusive community and the opportunity to connect with professors and peers passionate about the public good.

Favorite Batten Project or Class: LPPP 5500 – Commenting for Environmental Advocacy

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Graduate course assistant

Fun Fact About Me: I love snowsports and work as a ski instructor at Wintergreen.

Reach Out To Me About: Summer abroad internships, elective courses outside of Batten, Applied Policy Projects, and anything else Batten and UVA! 

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-10:30 AM, Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 PM

Name: Deirdre Belger 

Hometown: Hopkinton, MA

Year: Accelerated MPP Class of 2026 

Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Politics

Policy Interests: healthcare policy, housing policy, government institutions and reform

Email: ttx9rq@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten:  I first learned about Batten when I was a junior in high school and realized that an education and career in public policy was for me: I’ve always been interested in history and politics which set the scene and context, but public policy asks the question “well what do we do about it?” It provides us the tools to solve problems and make a difference in the world, aided by a deep understanding of what came before. 

Favorite Batten Project or Class:  LPPS 6710: Congress 101 

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Women’s Club Water Polo, University Democrats, Kappa Delta Sorority, Global Problems Local Solutions (community service CIO), Student Researcher

Fun Fact About Me:  I was an Irish Step Dancer my whole childhood!

Reach Out To Me About: Interning in DC, getting involved in research, club sports, being a double accelerated student!

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person, Wednesdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Thursdays 1:00-2:00 PM

Name: Wyatt Dayhoff

Hometown: Minnetonka, MN 

Year: BA Class of 2026 

Other Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Second major in Foreign Affairs 

Policy Interests: US-China competition; economic security; global development 

Email: ega2vj@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: I chose Batten because I wanted to gain experience with applied foreign affairs work. I wanted to improve my ability to write in a concise fashion about current, pressing issues and to think creatively. I also wanted to improve my groupwork. Most importantly, though, I valued the community that Baten has, from its students to its centers to its career services and advising. My biggest takeaway from Batten will be all the fantastic people I’ve met and friends I’ve made that I know I’ll continue to interact with post-grad.

Favorite Batten Project or Class: LPPS 5250: Strategic Decision Making

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Virginia Journal of International Affairs, Fourth Year Trustees, Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, Caboose Ultimate Frisbee 

Fun Fact About Me: I want to visit every national park! 

Reach Out To Me About: Double majoring while studying abroad (in Florence!), national security opportunities at UVA, JeffSoc, publishing academic work

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Tuesdays 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Name: Lily Egbert

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Year: BA Class of 2026 

Policy Interests: K-12 and Higher Education, Criminal Justice, Affordable Housing, & Gun Reform Policy

Email: mcq3qj@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: I chose Batten because I was drawn to its close-knit, collaborative community and its clear commitment to public service. I wanted to study policy with a hands-on, real-world approach rather than treat it purely as a theoretical subject. Professors and former students I spoke to had nothing but amazing things to say about the Batten Community and its offerings, which greatly influenced my interest in this wonderful school!

Favorite Batten Project or Class: LPPS 3330: Education and Conflict

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Lead RA for Bridging Grounds Initiative, TA for Bridge to Batten, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Vigil Chair for Take Back the Night at UVA 

Fun Fact About Me: I love karaoke–anytime, anyplace!

Reach Out To Me About: Experience as a Transfer Student, studying abroad (semester or embedded semester–doing both!), experience as a TA, finding internships, and anything else to help you!

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Mondays 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Thursdays 2:00-3:00 PM

Name: Sanjana Jaiswal

Hometown:  Scarsdale, NY

Year: BA Class of 2026 

Other Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Second major in Media Studies

Policy Interests:  Global Development and Foreign Policy

Email: cwf3ub@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: I wanted to join Batten ever since my first semester at UVA. I was really interested in Public Policy as my career destination, particularly after taking Intro Public Policy in my first year. But I’m also quite shy, so I was interested in a major where I could become more closely connected with peers and professors, which feels smaller and more personal, where you might not get as lost as in the College. Batten is the perfect place for that!

Favorite Batten Project or Class: LPPS 4260: Politics of Development

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: The Virginia Belles, Batten Undergraduate Council Executive Committee, University Judiciary Committee, the UVA Humanitarian Collaborative 

Fun Fact About Me: I love film studies and am actually a film concentration in my Media Studies double major! My dream job since I was little would be working on a film set or screenwriting.

Reach Out To Me About: Research opportunities, double majoring, finding extracurriculars, time management, and working on Batten group projects!

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 PM, Wednesdays 1:30-4:00 PM

Name: Kendyl Pugh

Hometown:  Springfield, VA

Year: BA Class of 2027 

Other Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Minor in Urban and Environmental Planning

Policy Interests: Affordable housing policy, criminal justice reform, and K-12 education policy

Email: gut6hv@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: I came into UVA knowing that I wanted to do Batten—a decision I made applying to colleges my senior year of high school because I knew I wanted my studies to feel grounded in real-life experiences. While plans made in high school don’t always stay the same (mine definitely evolved), I continued to choose Batten because of the way it encouraged me to think. Its interdisciplinary nature offered the chance to pair my analytical interests—both in writing and quantitative work— with strong theoretical frameworks to analyze and design solutions for the future. Just as importantly, Batten promised a close-knit, collaborative community of people with differing perspectives but aligning interests, and that sense of connection ultimately cemented my decision

Favorite Batten Project or Class: LPPS 3310: Police-Community Relations

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Office of African American Affairs Peer Advisor Program, Virginia Guide Service, PEGLLLab, Undergraduate Black Law Student Association, Virginia Policy Lab, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, Friends of PHAR 

Fun Fact About Me:  I love baking! During finals season, especially, I love to make cookies and banana bread for friends.

Reach Out To Me About: Getting involved in research opportunities, navigating extracurricular life and leadership at UVA, and building community and finding your place within Batten

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Mondays 2:00-3:00 PM, Tuesdays 1:30-3:30 PM, Thursdays 3:00-4:00 PM

Name: Logan Reed

Hometown:  Norfolk, VA

Year: BA Class of 2027 

Other Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): Minors in General Business & Global Sustainability

Policy Interests:  Health Policy, Environmental Policy, Education Policy

Email: uew6ph@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: I chose Batten because the program gives me the opportunity to combine my interests in environmental science, political science, and data analysis and apply them to assignments and projects that can have tangible impacts in our community. This program has definitely helped provide clarity on how to achieve my goal of pursuing a career that promotes community sustainability and resilience, ensuring that our built environment promotes well-being for everyone. I love how close-knit the Batten community is and how passionate the students and professors are with their interests. Furthermore, the program truly provides you the opportunity to figure out what your policy interests are and, if you already are passionate about a certain field, to delve into content and research you already love! 

Favorite Batten Project or Class: LPPL 3450: Resilient Leadership for Teams  

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Class of 2027 Council, UVA Club Tennis, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity 

Fun Fact About Me: I am a twin! 

Reach Out To Me About: Study Abroad Programs, Research Opportunities, and Special Topics Courses

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Mondays 3:00-5:00 PM, Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 PM

Name: Scarlett Sullivan 

Hometown: Williamsburg, VA

Year: Accelerated MPP, Class of 2027

Undergraduate Major(s)/Minor(s): History Major, Double Accelerated MPP

Policy Interests: K-12 and higher education policy, healthcare accessibility and affordability policy, and economic development

Email: fnk5dp@virginia.edu

Why I Chose Batten: With its emphasis on public service and education that empowers students to become leaders, the Batten School immediately felt like the right fit for my academic journey at UVA. The MPP curriculum has not only deepened my understanding of policymaking, both qualitatively and quantitatively, but has also challenged me to grow as a thoughtful collaborator and leader, shaping how I engage in endeavors both inside and beyond Batten.  

Favorite Batten Project or Class:  LPPA 6100: Economics of Public Policy I

Batten/UVA Student Involvement: The Cavalier Daily, Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center, UVA Housing & Residence Life, Alpha Delta Pi, Karsh Center for Democracy  

Fun Fact About Me:  I love to crochet—if you see me in a sweater, 80 percent chance I made it!

Reach Out To Me About: Applying early to the Accelerated MPP program; time management in Batten courses; how extracurriculars can influence your policy interests

Spring Semester Appointment Availability: In-person and online, Mondays 12:00-2:00 PM, Thursdays 4:00-6:00 PM