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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.

Gerard Robinson, who joined the Batten School in the fall of 2023 as a professor of practice in public policy and law, has an understanding of America’s penal systems that is historical, encyclopedic, peppered with factual evidence and flavored with his own philosophical musings.

In Episode 6 of "Grounds to Listen," Dean Solomon talks with two former leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates from differing political parties who worked together for many years to achieve common goals.

This week’s Batten Hour featured Bill Howell, former Speaker of the House of Delegates, and David Toscano, former House Minority Leader, in a discussion about how the legislature is addressing past, present and future policy challenges. Their discussion was moderated by Craig Volden, professor of public policy and politics and co-director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

William Shobe, a Batten professor and director of the Center for Economic and Policy Studies at the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, has received UVA’s “Public Impact Focused Research Award” for his significant contributions in Virginia and beyond in the field of decarbonization and emissions markets.

As a young girl, Lauren Russell raised $20 for a children's hospital at her lemonade stand in Newport News. Fast forward to more recently, Russell (MPP '17) helped to raise more than $50,000 for the Batten School in her role as a member of the Executive Committee of the Batten Alumni Advisory Board.