Be sure to check out the first part of this blog series to meet the other half of our Ambassadors team!
Meet the Postgraduate MPP Ambassadors
Name: Brianna Guevara
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Year: MPP Class of 2026
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): University of Virginia; Global Security and Justice, minored in Sociology and Global Studies in Education
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: I have experience through my internship at Xenophon Strategies in Washington, D.C., where I analyzed research, crafted written projects and proposals, monitored federal government activities, and produced written memos to assist clients. Additionally, I spent two years as an intern for the VISAS program at UVA, where I recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers who helped refugee and immigrant University employees improve their English skills. I also designed personalized lesson plans tailored to the employees’ goals, such as obtaining citizenship or a driver’s permit. Upon graduation from the Frank Batten School, I am passionate about pursuing a career that allows me to actively contribute to the development, analysis, and implementation of immigration policies. I am eager to engage with the complexities of immigration law, advocate for immigrant communities, and influence positive change within the policy landscape.
Policy Interests: Immigration Policy, Education Policy
Email: beg5vt@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: Loved my UVA experience in undergrad and wanted to join the Batten community for grad school (best of both worlds)
Favorite Batten Project or Class: Econ I
Batten/UVA Student Involvement: VISAS Workplace Volunteer, Batten Latinx Student Network, Art club
Fun Fact About Me: Spanish is my first language
Reach Out To Me About: Anything UVA/Batten related, Latinx experience, sushi recommendations in C’ville!
Name: Oscar Kemp
Hometown: Danville, VA
Year: MPP Class of 2026
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): Virginia Commonwealth University; B.S. in Social Work and Public Management
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: I am a first-generation student. I graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023 with a B.S. in Social Work and Public Management and was a 2022 University of Michigan Ford School Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute Fellow. Following graduation, I studied Swahili in Arusha, Tanzania as a Critical Language Scholar and after that I lived overseas in Kampala, Uganda, as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. While in Uganda, I focused my time outside of work on the economics of workforce readiness for the future in developing countries with a continental focus on Africa, social welfare, and subnational diplomacy. This past summer, I interned for the City of Danville Office of Economic Development and Tourism. Upon graduation from the Frank Batten School, I hope to pursue a career in law, education diplomacy, and public service. Oscar loves history, mentoring youth, and pop culture trivia!
Policy Interests: International Economic Development Policy, Education Policy, Human Rights Law and Workforce Readiness in Pre- and Post- Conflict Zones
Email: dcd9xy@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: Jeff Chidester is the kindest human being I ever met during my MPP program search. I would not be here without him. I toured in high school and many friends who graduated from UVA undergrad recommended Batten for the MPP.
Favorite Batten Project or Class: Applied Policy Project I or Economics II
Batten/UVA Student Involvement: President, Black Student Leaders in Policy (BSLIP)
Fun Fact About Me: I went to Las Vegas for my 17th birthday (family’s idea).
Reach Out To Me About: Being Confident in Yourself, Belonging, Getting Involved, Connecting with Batten Staff and Professors, Studying Abroad, Charlottesville and things to do in surrounding areas
Name: Emma Flye
Hometown: Vienna, VA
Year: MPP Class of 2026
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): Christopher Newport University; B.A. in English with a concentration in writing and a B.A. in Leadership Studies
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I conducted research pertaining to education policy, particularly researching education reform in Haiti, a project I presented at the International Leadership Association’s Case Study Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Following graduation, I hope to enter the non-profit sector and assist in providing equal learning opportunities for students with learning differences.
Policy Interests: Education Policy, Health Policy
Email: ecf8tew@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: When I visited for my best friend’s admitted students’ day, who was a student in the cohort above mine, I was immediately drawn to the program because of how committed the students and staff were to making even me, a guest, feel welcome on grounds. Shout out to Jeff Chidester for encouraging me to apply!
Favorite Batten Project or Class: The 48-hour Project in Policy Analysis
Batten/UVA Student Involvement: President of Batten Graduate Council, Graduate Teaching Assistant
Fun Fact About Me: I love running and would love to share my favorite Charlottesville loops!
Reach Out To Me About: Student life outside of the classroom and how to balance class load with extracurriculars!
Name: Lily Murphy
Hometown: Ashland, MA
Year: MPP Class of 2026
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): Northeastern University; B.S. in Political Science and Human Services
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: During my time in Boston, I worked at several nonprofit organizations focused on local community development and local government research. Upon graduation from the Batten School, I hope to work in government at the state or local level.
Policy Interests: State and local government with a specific focus on economic justice and housing policy, local finance
Email: apv4hp@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: When I visited Batten, I could tell there was a strong sense of community and a culture that emphasized collaboration. I think that is an important and often overlooked part of policymaking and made Batten stand out to me.
Favorite Batten Project or Class: Economics of Public Policy
Batten/UVA Student Involvement: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Batten Graduate Council Secretary
Fun Fact About Me: My high school mascot was a clock
Reach Out To Me About: Batten academics and student life, City government, Charlottesville coffee shops
Name: Emma Pyles
Hometown: Amherst, New Hampshire
Year: MPP Class of 2027
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): Connecticut College; double major in Government and American Studies and a minor in Environmental Studies
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: I was a substitute teacher in the local public schools for a year before coming to Batten.
Policy Interests: food policy and voting access
Email: gjg3ya@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: I chose Batten because of the emphasis on community and collaboration, as well as the many opportunities to engage in the policy world while still in graduate school.
Favorite Batten Project or Class: Psychology for Leadership
Fun Fact About Me: I have a Michigan boating license.
Reach Out To Me About: Food policy, moving to VA, or local running opportunities!
Name: Lyndsay Rowlands
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Year: MPP Class of 2027
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): Montana State University; Major in Political Science and Minor in Hispanic Studies
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: Before Batten, I interned with South North Nexus (SNN), a Montana-based nonprofit, where I connected immigrants with legal counsel, advocated for a driver’s privilege card in the state legislature, and developed an annual report for donors and supporters. My experience at SNN revealed the importance of effective policymaking and the role of good policy in supporting vulnerable communities both domestically and globally. After I complete my graduate studies, I aspire to work with international nonprofits, working to create meaningful change for communities in need.
Policy Interests: International development, disaster response, immigration, and foreign affairs.
Email: mbw4rj@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: The flexibility in the second year allows me to explore different areas of policy or specialize in one field. I value that my academic experience is shaped by my own choices.
Favorite Batten Project or Class: Politics of Public Policy
Fun Fact About Me: I have a twin sister in the graduate program.
Reach Out To Me About: Shared policy interests, UVA’s overall atmosphere, graduate work-life balance, and music!
Name: Addison (Addie) Parman
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Year: MPP Class of 2026
Undergraduate University and Major(s)/Minor(s): Colorado State University, Fort Collins; B.A. in Political Science and History
What professional/work experience did you have prior to coming to Batten?: During my time at Colorado State, I worked as the senior legislative aide at the Colorado General Assembly for Senator Dylan Roberts (SD-8) and Representative Meghan Lukens (HD-26) during the 2023 Session and Summer interim period. While working as a senior aide, I prepared bills for committee, organized witness testimony, managed interns, and worked closely with constituents on a daily basis. In the Summer of 2025, I worked at the federal level with the Government Accountability Office in Appropriations Law. Upon graduation, I hope to work in the affordable housing space at the municipal level, focusing on housing stock, preservation, tenant rights, and density reform.
Policy Interests: Land-use and zoning policy; affordable housing
Email: cvd5zb@virginia.edu
Why I Chose Batten: I love the East Coast, Charlottesville’s proximity to major cities, and I was ready for a new environment after being born and raised in Colorado. I love the degree to which Batten cares about students’ outcomes – they want you to succeed here.
Favorite Batten Project or Class: Leadership in the Public Arena
Fun Fact About Me: I love horror movies!
Reach Out To Me About: The leadership aspect of Batten’s curriculum; working in Washington, D.C.; ice cream
