Ava Purcell Ava Purcell, a native of Fredericksburg, VA, is in her 2nd year of Batten’s accelerated MPP program. Why are you interested in the issues of community well-being and criminal justice policy? My undergraduate Youth and Social Innovation major broadened my interest in policies relating to societal well-being, especially for adolescents. I took a course titled "Prevention of Youth Violence," which dove into our legal and justice systems and how they interact with youth. Additionally, my mother is a school counselor, who has inspired me to critically analyze the ways schools (and other institutions) treat youth and marginalized communities. What are the main things you learned from this day? I have a complicated view of policing, but it was very compelling to see previously incarcerated individuals and officers have conversations about ways the justice system can be improved to address systemic inequities. I learned how important these discussions are, and the bravery it takes for both groups of individuals to be vulnerable and listen deeply to one another to affect change. How did participating in this workshop add value to your education at Batten? This experience was one of the most formative events of my Batten education. I was wary of what I could add to the conversation as a student, but listening to the community and working towards solutions was more meaningful than I could've imagined. We don't have many opportunities to interact with individuals directly involved in the policy issues we're studying, so this workshop was invaluable in fostering meaningful connections with community leaders. Tyler Sesker Tyler Sesker is from Upper Marlboro, MD. She is graduating this spring and will start at Elon University School of Law this fall. Why are you interested in the issues of community well-being and criminal justice policy? I have always interested in the intersections of race and class and how they impact the criminal justice system. So, when I was introduced to policy for the first time it seemed like I could really make an impact both in the communities that I had been focused on but also on the criminal justice system. It seems easy to think about criminal justice issues as something that as far away, but in actuality they start in the community so the conversations and policy work has to start there. What are the main things you learned from this day? It is hard to imagine change when you cannot see change. The work done in a community has to be intentional and it has to be done with the purpose of showing actual tangible change. People no longer want the possibility for change, or plans for change - they want real impactful work done in their communities that they can see helps them. How did participating in this workshop add value to your education at Batten? I enjoy working directly with community stakeholders, sometimes that part is missed out on in classroom. Being able to actually apply and share what we have been learning in the classroom with the actual communities we speak on is not something that happens often. Amber Townes Amber Townes is from Richmond, VA, and after she graduates from Batten this spring, she’ll be joining the staff of Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-6) in Washington D.C. Why are you interested in the issues of community well-being and criminal justice policy? Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how communities suffer without adequate well-being. This personal experience fuels my passion to advocate for change. I am committed to improving community well-being and criminal justice policies, believing everyone deserves a safer, fairer community where they can thrive and feel supported. What are the main things you learned from this day? One key lesson was the importance of challenging your thinking and seeking diverse perspectives. Engaging with people from varied backgrounds enriches discussions and leads to more effective policy solutions. This experience highlighted the value of embracing diverse viewpoints to address complex issues more comprehensively. Another important lesson was realizing how different social issues are connected. Policies in one area can affect many others. Understanding these connections helps create better policies that consider the broader impact on society. How did participating in this workshop add value to your education at Batten? Participating in the workshop at Batten was a major highlight. Engaging with a diverse group broadened my perspective on social issues and policing. These discussions deepened my critical thinking skills and will shape my approach to policy-making. This experience was a standout, and I'm eager to apply what I've learned. View All