UVA Batten Alumni
From Capitol Hill to city halls, nonprofits to the Pentagon, UVA Batten graduates are part of a network built on a shared commitment to public service and principled leadership. Alumni stay connected through Batten Connect, forging ties that double as career catalysts and communities of impact. Reconnect, give back, and help shape what public leadership looks like next.
Join Batten Connect
Batten Connect is your gateway to a powerful community of public policy leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers who share your passion for making a difference. Search for fellow alumni, find a mentor, post a job opportunity, or discover events in your city all in one seamless platform built for people who mean business about public service. Your next career move, your next collaboration, your next coffee with someone who just gets it. It all starts here. Join Batten Connect today and stay plugged into the community that’s changing the world, one policy leader at a time.
Connect Today!Upcoming Events
-
UVA Batten Alumni Homecomings TailgateOctober 10, 2026 (5-7 p.m.)Join us for an afternoon of connection and celebration at the UVA Batten Alumni Homecomings Tailgate, held at the Garrett Hall Patio during UVA’s Homecomings Weekend! Reconnect with fellow Batten alumni, meet current board members, and enjoy food, drinks, and pre-game festivities before the ranked Cavaliers take on the Syracuse Orange.
-
Young Alumni Reunions (YAR)October 10, 2026 (8-11 p.m.)In 2026, to celebrate 20 unforgettable years of YAR, alumni of the last ten years are invited to get their YARty on at the Ting Pavilion on Charlottesville’s historic Downtown Mall. If you graduated between 2016 and 2026, this YAR is for you. Whether it’s your first trip back since graduation, or you’re back to relive the magic of your best YAR ever, get your ticket before they’re gone!
-
Career Development Week 2026Nov. 9-12, 2026 (virtual)Join us for four days of virtual learning, discussion, and networking designed to support recent graduates navigating the next stage of their professional journey, and experienced professional looking to refresh their skills and explore new perspectives. Participants will gain insights, make connections, and build confidence for career success. The 2026 CDW will explore practical strategies to help young alumni navigate career growth, build meaningful relationships, strengthen their personal brand, and develop a strong foundation for financial and professional success. Registration opening soon!
-
Juntos 2027April 16-18, 2027The UVA Alumni Association is excited to celebrate the culture and heritage of the UVA Hispanic and Latino/e community on Grounds next spring! All alumni are invited to return to Charlottesville April 16-18, 2027, for a weekend of connecting – and reconnecting – across generations. Submit event ideas by October 15 via this form for alumni leader review. Have alumni who might be interested in serving on the committee? They can sign up here.
-
Reunions 2027June 4-6, 2027The UVA Alumni Association is excited to welcome the classes of 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2022 back to Grounds next summer for Reunions. If you’re interested in serving on the reunion committee, sign up here.
-
Aggarwal Hall OpeningSpring 2027Opening in Spring 2027, the Alumni Association’s new home will be a warm and inviting space designed to serve and represent all Hoos for generations to come. We can’t wait to welcome alumni, students, and University and community partners into our new home.
Alumni in Action
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.
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.
Alumni Advisory Board
The Alumni Advisory Board facilitates dynamic communication between the Batten School and its ever-expanding global network of change agents. Those well-cultivated alumni connections allow us to maintain an inclusive community, pinpoint areas that require improvement, and provide students with exciting career opportunities.
See Board Directory-
Jill RockwellSenior Assistant Dean of Career Advancement and Alumni EngagementJill Rockwell, Senior Assistant Dean of Career Advancement and Alumni Engagement at UVA Batten, and her team are focused on the professional success of our graduates and alumni as well as activating our alumni network in support of the school.
-
Sarah HanksDirector of Career Advancement & Alumni EngagementSarah Hanks is the Director of Career Services for the Frank Batten School. She has more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit capacity building, change management, and crisis recovery.
-
Kasey KieferCareer Advancement and Alumni Engagement CoordinatorKasey is the coordinator of Career Advancement and Alumni Engagement at the Batten School. She returns to Grounds after graduating from UVA in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Global Environments & Sustainability.