Alum Spotlight: Michael Pugh (MPP ’22)
Graduates from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia enter the work force equipped with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to address the complex policy challenges facing our world today. Career pathways often include federal, state, and local government leadership; consulting and strategy; private sector and research; and nonprofit roles. We sat down with one of our amazing alumni, Michael Pugh (MPP '22) to learn more about his time after UVA Batten!
Hailing from Syracuse, New York, Michael joined the Batten School in 2020 after completing his undergraduate degree in Economics and Government & Politics at St. John’s University. Following his time at UVA Batten, he joined the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) as a Research Assistant before being promoted a Research Associate. Today, he serves as an Energy Industry Specialist at ICF. Get to know more about Michael below!
Why did you choose UVA Batten?
- I chose Batten because of the generalist nature of the program as well as the immediate connection I felt to the school. I was not sure what policy area I wanted to specialize in, and Batten offered me an opportunity to enhance my policy analysis skills, which was important to me.
How would you describe the Batten community?
- The Batten community is filled with individuals with varied backgrounds and intense interests. I met a core group of friends in the program who were all interested in topics I either never heard of or had never thought of. I loved that. It gave me the opportunity to stretch my brain and be around people that would challenge me. It helps too that I met my wife in the program!
How were you able to explore your policy interests while at Batten?
- The ability to take electives helped me explore all sorts of policy interests. While at Batten, I took courses in China relations, National Security Law at the UVA Law School, and dove into niche topics during my Applied Policy Project. Outside of coursework, interacting with my friends in the program allowed me to learn more about a broad swath of issues.
What’s one way the MPP helped you grow personally or professionally?
- Batten helped me realize that being a leader is not reserved for those with a particular title. Learning to exercise leadership helped me realize that I have agency to tackle issues, no matter my status or rank. This program was empowering. Not only did Batten provide me with the hard skills required of a public policy professional, but it molded me into the leader our policy environment requires.
Similarly, how did Batten prepare you for your first role after graduating or your current role? What skills and experiences at Batten set you up for success?
- As a self-described generalist, I was interested in many public policy topics when I enrolled at Batten. That has not changed almost four years since graduating. Batten gave me the tool kit to analyze any issue in my professional career. Since graduating, I have worked on issues related to economic development, the social safety net, decarbonization, and now energy and electricity markets. I would not have been able to handle this many topic areas if it was not for Batten’s systematic framework for public policy analysis. The 48 Hour Project [during Introduction to Policy Analysis] was humbling but the most insightful experience I had at Batten. It was a model for what the “real world” would be like and it prepared me to tackle anything that would come my way in the future, no matter the issue.
What course or academic experience was a highlight of your time at Batten?
- There are too many to choose from. National Security Law at UVA’s Law School was a highlight. At the time, maybe two weeks into the class, Russia invaded Ukraine. That made course discussion all the more impactful. Understanding US-China relations in a class taught by former Batten Dean, Harry Harding, was another course that helped me understand the current geopolitical landscape. Congress 101 with Professor Warburg brought us close to policymakers like U.S. Senators Warner and Kaine and now-Governor Spanberger.
Beyond academics, what are some other memories that stand out from your time at Batten?
- When I was considering grad school, a former professor mentioned that he met his wife during his post-graduate studies. I kept that in the back of my mind when I moved to Charlottesville. I never expected I would actually meet my wife in Charlottesville, let alone in the Batten School. But sure enough, I did.
What piece of advice would you give to a student considering UVA Batten?
- This program will shape your future and have profound impacts for your career. You will become someone who is either a Swiss Army knife or well-equipped to dive into a particular policy focus. This program is built for people humble enough to acknowledge their shortcomings and confident enough to evolve. Take advantage of that!
