Hometown: Manassas, VA

Batten graduation year: 2016

Undergraduate school/major(s): University of Virginia, College of Arts & Sciences - Government and Women, Gender & Sexuality

Extracurricular involvements: Women in Policy (WIP), University Democrats

What brought you to Batten?

I have always loved policy, and knew that I wanted to apply to the Accelerated MPP program as soon as I heard about it. I was interested in using policy to improve the lives of low-income Americans, and felt that a professional degree was the best way to prepare me to do so.

How has your experience at Batten changed or shaped your perspective?

In Batten, I have learned to approach policy problems analytically. It’s easy to impose your own values and beliefs when attempting to solve such problems, but Batten has taught me that hard evidence is crucial. One must carefully weigh costs and benefits, regardless of what you think the solution should be. Now, I value good data more than ever before!

What kind of public servant do you think the world needs today?

I think we need public servants with empathy. Good decisions are indeed based on data, but we must never forget that policies affect real people. Policymakers should consider not only how much money could be saved, but also how lives could be improved. Empathy helps policymakers understand different perspectives, and how people might be impacted by a particular policy in different ways.

Tell us about the Presidential Management Fellow process, what advice do you have for other students wishing to apply?

First, there is an online application and assessment. Semi-Finalists are selected based on that assessment. Then, Semi-Finalists are invited to an in-person assessment in D.C., which determines your Finalist status. It’s definitely a long process, but it’s not as stressful as it seems, provided that you have patience. It is actually more challenging to find a position once you are selected as a Finalist - mostly because of the time and persistence it requires.

For students who are applying, I think it is important to be yourself. One might feel pressure to project a certain image throughout the assessment process. While you should certainly be professional, you should also be honest. In the in-person assessment, don’t be afraid to show that you have a personality! For students who are selected as Finalists, my biggest piece of advice is to seize every opportunity that becomes available. I took every interview that I was offered, and tried to make connections with as many people as possible. I strongly believe that this has helped me.

Where will you be working as a fellow? What do you hope to learn and accomplish?

I have received an offer from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Budget, in the Budget and Performance Policy Branch. I have learned a lot about what policies look like in the abstract, but through this position, I hope to learn more about how they are actually proposed and implemented. I would love to be able to work on substantive projects, and to develop my leadership skills in a professional context.