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Sarah Turner is a professor at the University of Virginia, with appointments in economics, education, and public policy. Turner is a leading expert in labor economics and the economics of education, focusing on higher education and high-skill labor markets. As part of our Women's History Month celebration, we asked Professor Turner some questions about her career at UVA.

Hayley Lawrence (BA ’16) is a self-described, indefatigable optimist. She thinks that – especially today – teachers, professors and leaders have a responsibility to advocate for seeing the good in the world, even when confronted with problems that seem intractable.

For Mia Abello, field hockey has never been just a sport; it’s been a passport – one that has brought her to UVA and now, the Batten School.

This year marks 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson laid the foundation for what would become Black History Month, an annual nationwide celebration of those who helped shape America. Recognizing and honoring this history is essential to building a brighter future – a commitment UVA Batten students have embraced since the school's institution. Today, they remember the past and begin to write their own stories for the next century.

On Friday, February 20, Dr. Francis Collins, preeminent genomic researcher, former Director of the National Institutes of Health and a UVA alumnus, joined Professor Melanie Egorin in Garrett Hall for a conversation on how to rethink complex policy challenges – and how to sway others to your side.

On February 18, the Virginia General Assembly named the Honorable J. Harvie Wilkinson III as the 2026 Outstanding Virginian, recognizing his extraordinary career in law, journalism, and public service. The Outstanding Virginian Award honors individuals whose distinguished contributions, outstanding achievements, and dedicated leadership serve as an inspiration to all civic-minded citizens, emulating the motto, “Service, not self.”

SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor is using her experience on Capitol Hill to drive research on congressional reform.

Professor Ben Castleman has dedicated his career to understanding how to improve postsecondary educational outcomes, especially for low-income or under-resourced students. His latest publication, in the American Economic Review, brings new and compelling evidence on how strategic advising influences college success.

The 4th annual Farms-to-Institution Symposium brought together farmers, chefs, and institutional leaders to explore how local partnerships and regenerative agriculture can build a healthier food system for people and the planet.

The Batten Graduate Council (BGC) combined fun and purpose, hosting a pickleball tournament that raised $500 for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and strengthened connections across the MPP program.

UVA Batten associate professor of public policy and economics Tim Layton, an expert on the economics of health insurance markets, has published several research papers in recent months.

At Batten Hour, alumni Hannah Gavin (MPP ’20), Jacquelyn Katzen (MPP ’17), and Victoria Edwards (BA/MPP ’14) shared how strategic communication turns ideas into action, whether in advocacy, corporate messaging, or crisis response. Their insights highlighted that clear, purposeful storytelling is a key tool for influence and impact.