Welcome to Grounds to Listen, our new podcast hosted by Batten School Dean Ian Solomon featuring insightful conversations with leaders and scholars delving into the art of leadership in an increasingly diverse and divided world. Our first guest is former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore. 

Jim Gilmore was the featured speaker at Batten Hour on September 11, the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. when he was Virginia's governor, and reflected on America’s readiness for potential future attacks, the war in Ukraine and the ongoing threat of authoritarianism globally.

General Saltzman, the chief of space operations for the Space Force, addressed students at the invitation of the National Security Policy Center at UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

Jennifer Ludovici is the NSPC Director of Operations & Research Initiatives. She has over 18 years of experience in higher education administration in both the public and private sector. In her role at the NSPC, she focuses on faculty research collaboration, project coordination and program development as well as general operations and communications. Jennifer holds a post-graduate certificate in project management from UVA, and a BA/MEd in history and education from James Madison University.

Maggie Sparling spent part of her spring in Fiji, working on national security and having experts listen to her insights. Sparling, who graduated this spring with majors in history and economics, is in the public policy master’s program at Batten.

Batten School professors Philip Potter and Allan Stam note that the conflict in Ukraine has bolstered the NATO alliance, which may give China pause if it’s thinking of moving on Taiwan. 

We find that when groups share an ideology, and especially a religion, they are more likely to sustain material cooperation in the face of state repression.

The Batten School and National Security Policy Center bring together a panel of experts to discuss the global ripple effects of Russia's attack on Ukraine with a focus on policy, diplomacy and humanitarian implications.

Join Batten alum Lettie J. Bien (MPP '19) and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Defense Affairs Committee to learn more about the Batten School's National Security Policy Center with professors George Foresman and Phil Potter.

John Robinson is the NSPC’s Director of Academic Programs. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on national security, including Innovating for Defense, an experiential course that pairs student teams with sponsors from the Department of Defense (DoD) to solve real-world national security problems. His research interests include international security and naval affairs.

John holds a Ph.D. in Politics from the University of Virginia, and a M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College.