Alum Spotlight: Marina Peebles (Accelerated MPP ’24)

Batten graduates enter public service equipped with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to address the complex policy challenges facing our world today. Career pathways often include federal, state, and local government leadership, consulting and strategy, private sector and research, and nonprofit roles. The Batten Admissions team recently sat down with one of our amazing alums, Marina Peebles (Accelerated MPP ‘24). Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Marina joined the Batten School in 2022 while completing her undergraduate degrees in French and Government at UVA.  

Following her time at Batten, Marina was selected as part of the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) program and placed for a rotation at the Environmental Protection Agency. While waiting for the program to begin, Marina worked a short-term contract with the National Democratic Institute. However, due to the discontinuation of the PMF program, Marina pivoted to putting her expertise to work in local government. Today, she serves as a Policy Analyst with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations. Get to know more about Marina below! 

Why did you choose Batten? 

• I knew what I wanted to do in the government sector! I wanted to work in public service and people I knew with jobs I wanted had MPPs so Batten’s Accelerated MPP was a natural choice. 

How would you describe the Batten community?  

• Some of my closest friends now are friends I made at Batten! I am so deeply grateful to them and it’s been an incredible community to lean on post-grad, particularly in challenging times for government workers. 

How were you able to explore your policy interests while at Batten? 

• The internship and the elective classes were great ways to explore both professionally and academically! Also, the Applied Policy Project is a yearlong program capstone that you design, so it is a great way to engage with your area of interest.  

What’s one way the MPP helped you grow personally or professionally?   

• Only one?! The friends I made and the mentor I found through my internship are a huge part of my life to this day. I’m incredibly grateful to them. Also, a huge shout out to the Admissions staff, who were a lovely part of my time at Batten and who are the absolute best! 

Similarly, how did Batten prepare you for your first role after graduating or your current role? What skills and experiences at Batten set you up for success? 

• I use my Research Methods and Data Analysis (RMDA) skills almost every day in my work as a policy analyst. Additionally, Batten reinforced the general ability to write and speak professionally about policy. 

What experience was a highlight of your time at Batten? 

• Batten Ball <3 – this is the Batten Graduate Council’s big social event of the year, and it is a great chance to make memories with your cohort! 

Beyond academics, what are some other memories that stand out from your time at Batten?  

• My internship at the Office of National Drug Control Policy! My mentor from my internship has written all of my recommendations, set up coffee chats for me with many people in fields I’m interested in, and generally been a huge source of support. 

What piece of advice would you give to a student considering Batten? 

• For prospective Accelerated MPP students, your first year is really challenging. Go to office hours as much as you can, establish relationships with your professors, take your internship search seriously and cast a wide net. It’s okay to not feel as deeply ingrained in the Batten community that first year — it’ll come in your second!