Latest News

Batten student leaders held our first Batten Student Leadership Conference March 22-23 in Garrett Hall. Themed “Bridging Divides: Leading in a Polarized World,” the conference was open to all UVA undergraduates and had the goal of providing a unique platform for students to network and develop leadership skills.

Danica Roem will be the first to admit she's not your typical elected official. As a Virginia delegate and now senator, she has a reputation as a hard worker and bipartisan colleague, but it’s her unusual path that she says has contributed to her success in office.

Valentina Mendoza Gonzalez, third-year Batten student, has been elected as Student Council president. Graduate Batten student Ian Novak will be the next Honor Committee vice chair for the graduate community.

In Episode 7 of "Grounds to Listen," Dean Solomon talks with Batten Professor Melissa Thomas-Hunt about the challenges of being an inclusive leader in today's world and the importance of candor.

Professor of Practice of Public Policy Gerald F. Warburg has received a prestigious 2024 All-University Teaching Award bestowed by the University of Virginia Provost to recognize the most dedicated, passionate, creative and equity-minded instructors on Grounds.

As we near the end of the semester, looking for exciting jobs and internships is top-of-mind for many students. Within the Batten student body, there is a diverse array of career interests and experiences, as many students have held internships relating to the dynamic world of public policy. I sat down with Baillie McNitt (4th year BA) to talk about her internship in the Bureau of African Affairs at the Department of State last summer.

Kent Collier, CEO of a global financial technology company, has a self-professed "obsession" with bankruptcy, and is also a committed philanthropist in journalism and fair elections. He was our featured speaker at Batten Hour this week.

Dean Ian Solomon and professors Kirsten Gelsdorf and Abigail Scholer will travel to Dharamsala next week with leaders from UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center to spend a week with practitioners and researchers in the contemplative sciences from around the world. They will also have an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The best way to decide on a career path is to choose what's interesting and fun, and what resonates deeply with who you are. Ruchi Bhowmik, vice president of public policy at Netflix, shared this advice with students at Batten Hour this week and reflected on her own career in public service and the private sector.

Dr. Cameron Webb had no lack of topics to discuss at this week's Batten Hour. From his time as a UVA undergrad, to law school and medical school, to working at the White House, to running for Congress, he has devoted his career to helping others by advocating for justice and equity.

Avery Whitehead is deputy director of platforms at the White House Office of Digital Strategy. Her job is to manage President Joe Biden’s Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and other social media accounts with some 20 million followers. She talked with students about the job and her career path at Monday's Batten Hour.

Philanthropist and best-selling author John Grisham was given the 2024 Outstanding Virginian Award at a ceremony at the State Capitol attended by members of the Outstanding Virginian Committee, including Batten School Dean Ian Solomon.