Alum Spotlight: Morgan Smith (MPP ’21)

Hailing from Annapolis, Maryland, Morgan joined the Batten School in 2019 after completing her undergraduate degrees in Political Science & Public Policy with a minor in Mathematics at St. Mary’s College in Maryland. Following her time at UVA Batten, she joined the Maryland Department of Legislative Services as a Budget Analyst where she testified in front of the Maryland General Assembly on agency budgets and performance trends. Two years later, she moved on to the Maryland Cannabis Administration as a Senior Policy Analyst where she helped establish the adult-use cannabis economic marketplace following legalization. Today, she serves as the Budget Manager for the Family Investment Administration at the Maryland Department of Human Services where she oversees a team of budget analysts handling all assistance payments programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Get to know more about Morgan below!

Why did you choose UVA Batten?

• I chose Batten because it had a small school atmosphere within a bigger institution and the Batten MPP had a major focus on leadership within the curriculum.

How would you describe the Batten community? 

• The Batten community is supportive; diverse in experience, both lived, educational, and professional; and dedicated to the pursuit of a better world. Each person that I met in and through Batten has been someone dedicated to strengthening their communities, building inclusive teams, and lifting each other up.

How were you able to explore your policy interests while at Batten?

• As a policy generalist, I loved the opportunity to take classes at other schools within UVA. I took a policy class at the architecture school that focused on walkability, safe streets, and building stronger communities. I was also lucky enough to take a class at the School of Medicine, focused on how policymakers and implementation of policy keep us safe, and when those policies lapse, how the lack of regulation can hurt communities.

What’s one way the MPP helped you grow personally or professionally?  

• It gave me the confidence to work alongside stakeholders—legislators, lobbyists, activists, citizens—and testify publicly on my informed recommendations for changes to policy and budgets to improve the lives of Marylanders.

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?

• During my time at Batten, I would say that the leadership components of each class taught me how to build a coalition in a way that was missing from my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I took a short course on Microsoft Excel, and that class provided me ample understanding and base for every budget and policy role I have held.

What experience was a highlight of your time at Batten?

• I loved working alongside Dr. Pennock and the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs on my Master’s thesis, the Applied Policy Project.

Beyond academics, what are some other memories that stand out from your time at Batten? 

• Two memories stand out: One was the first UVA football game as a student. The second memory was taking graduation photos at the Rotunda with all my classmates and colleagues after being apart due to COVID.

What piece of advice would you give to a student considering Batten?

• Consider not only the coursework, but the type of people joining your program. These folks will be your colleagues, friends, and chosen family. Going to the admitted students’ weekend really helped me realize UVA Batten was the place for me.