About News Why So Many Young People Don’t Vote – And How to Change That Visiting Scholars The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy hosts visiting researchers and professors on a temporary basis to foster cross-sector relationships and a collaborative space for innovation. The University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia which offers stunning beauty, extraordinary culture and an inexhaustible list of things to do. Charlottesville was even named “the happiest city in America” by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research. Beyond being an exceptional city in its own right, Charlottesville is also conveniently located two hours south of the nation’s capital by car and just over one hour from Richmond to the east. The Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway can be reached with a 30-minute drive from Grounds. Charlottesville brings together the best of many worlds, offering the livability and community found in smaller cities with the amenities and cultural attractions of a metropolis. View All