Alumni in Action

Evelyn Immonen
Aug 15, 2019

Alum Spotlight: Evelyn Immonen

Working on issues related to rural poverty may not be as glamorous as other high-profile policy issues, but for Evelyn Immonen (MPP ’18), the margin of good that can be done in just one small town is worth the effort and commitment

Breanna Gray
Jun 03, 2019

Alum Spotlight: Breanna Gray

During my first year at the University of Virginia, I knew that I wanted to apply to the Batten School. At the beginning of my second semester at UVA, I attended a Batten School information session. Shortly after, I called my Mom and said, “I have found the graduate school for me!”

Dec 19, 2018

Alum Spotlight: Vasiliy (Wes) Malychev (MPP '14)

Policy is everywhere. Lead from anywhere.

When I first read this slogan, I didn’t think much of it. Catchy, sure, but what does that even mean? At the time, I was a third-year at UVA, and I had yet to walk through the doors of Garrett Hall and meet some of the most inspiring and ambitious people that I know to this day.

I applied to Batten for two reasons: One, I was passionate about social causes. Policy seemed like a practical way to make an impact. Two, if I’m being completely honest, I had no idea what I wanted to do after UVA and an extra year seemed like a good way to buy some time.

Baylee Eby
Nov 14, 2018

Alum Spotlight: Baylee Eby

Last April, Baylee Eby (MPP '15) launched Dreamer & Co, a social impact company whose mission is to provide job skills and a steady income to young women in the Horn of Africa.

Oct 18, 2018

Alum in Action: Michael Russell (BA '16)

Michael Russell recently joined the Global Partnerships Department for the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he is responsible for generating revenue through sales of marketing/media platforms and finding creative ways to integrate partners within the NBA’s business. Previous to joining Global Partnerships full-time, he spent two years in the NBA’s Associate program, a rotational program across different departments within the company. He graduated as a member of Batten's 2016 undergraduate class and is proud to call UVA a home away from home.