LEAD Program

The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia recognizes the volume of highly talented and high achieving students enrolled at Virginia’s Community Colleges and seeks to create additional pathways to create equitable opportunity towards bachelor’s degree attainment.  

Towards that end, we are pleased to announce the LEAD (Leveraging Early Admission) Program to increase transfer pathway opportunities and expand access to those from lower-income backgrounds and/or are the first in their family to attend college. The LEAD Program is an opportunity available to students enrolled at partner Virginia Community Colleges who plan to transfer to UVA and major in Public Policy and Leadership at the Batten School. 

Launched in Spring 2024, the LEAD Program allows eligible students to prepare for direct admission to UVA Batten while completing an associate’s degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Co-enrolled students follow a recommended program of study to earn an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts or, with approval, an Associate of Science in General and receive access to Batten’s prerequisite course LPPP 2200: Introduction to Public Policy as part of their associate’s degree progress.  

In addition to an early guaranteed admission offer to the Batten School upon successful program completion, LEAD Program participants enjoy the following benefits:  

• payment of PVCC tuition rates for any UVA Batten co-enrolled courses  
• dedicated one-on-one academic advising at PVCC and UVA to promote student success by offering an individualized plan to fulfill academic requirements for timely degree completion  
• coordinated financial, career, and engagement coaching opportunities and support  
• early connections with faculty, peers, the academic rigor, and the Grounds of the University of Virginia  
• fulfillment of a required prerequisite course for the undergraduate major available only through Batten   
• access to a UVA Student ID and facilities during any semester they are co-enrolled in an in-person Batten class  
• fulfillment of all UVA Discipline Plus (general education) requirements through earning the associate’s degree  
• guaranteed enrollment at Batten, without additional application or fees, upon successful completion of LEAD Program components  

Admission  

To be eligible for the LEAD program, students must:  

• have Virginia residency status  
• have not already earned a bachelor’s degree  
• identify as first-generation, or from a limited-income background, or have encountered significant non-academic circumstances (e.g. adult learners returning to school after an extended academic break) 
• complete the UVA Batten LEAD Program Interest Form  
• enroll in a transfer Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree program or alternate program as approved at PVCC  
• have completed at least 12 credit hours of general education courses toward the associate’s degree  
• maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in Virginia Community College coursework  

The ideal LEAD Program participant is a disciplined, determined, self-motivated learner interested in building leadership skills for a future career in public service, law, policy, advocacy, government, or a related field. Participants should be prepared for the challenge of taking college-level courses at two different schools simultaneously. Applicants should consider whether they have the time and ability to attend weekly classes at UVA, including additional discussion sections, and to devote sufficient time to studying, attending office hours, and utilizing other academic resources, as needed.  

Interested students should submit a UVA Batten LEAD Program interest form to connect with advisors and receive further information about program admission.  

Program Completion  

Program graduates will earn guaranteed admission to UVA Batten as bachelor’s degree candidates, with all UVA Literacy and Discipline Plus (general education) requirements fulfilled, if they:  

• remain continuously enrolled at PVCC (not including summer sessions) until receiving the associate’s degree  
• meet one-on-one with PVCC academic advisors at least once a semester and participate in mandatory LEAD programming (which might include orientation, UVA financial aid info sessions, social programs, or workshops) while enrolled in the program  
• complete LPPP 2200: Introduction to Public Policy at UVA’s Batten School, earning a C or higher. Program participants must also successfully complete Batten program prerequisites Microeconomics (ECO 202) and Social Psychology (PSY 216) or the UVA Batten equivalent LPPL 2600: Foundations of Behavioral Science, while enrolled at PVCC.  
• achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at PVCC (including UVA Batten co-enrolled courses). Students must obtain a minimum of 54 transfer credits, and up to 60 credits will be applied towards completion of the bachelor’s degree after transfer. Grades of C or higher will be accepted for transfer credit.   
• matriculate to UVA Batten within three years after acceptance into the LEAD Program  

Apply here!

Contact Us  
Leah Blue  
Transfer Advocate  
PVCC-UVA Partnership  
LeahB@virginia.edu  
434-924-3016  

Anne Carter Mulligan  
Senior Director of Admissions  
Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy  
mulligan@virginia.edu  
434-982-0685