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Rosie Rios, who served from 2008-16 as the 43rd Treasurer of the United States, will deliver keynote remarks during the Batten School’s inaugural Batten Benefactors Society Gala on Friday, Nov. 8 at the University of Virginia.

A multidisciplinary team of public policy, computer science, and law faculty earned a national grant to establish a course aimed at teaching graduate students to examine the complex ethical, legal, and policy implications of new technologies.

How do we restore faith in the American political system and in democracy as an institution? Hear from Batten Dean Ian H. Solomon and fellow panelists Melody Barnes, Micah Schwartzman, Larry Terry, Larry Sabato, and moderator Mary Kate Cary.

As the U.S. economy continues its longest-ever period of expansion, economists are beginning to call attention to some indicators that point to a potential downturn. One of those economists is Batten Professor Ray Scheppach.

Immigration issues have been a prominent fixture in the national media landscape for decades, but as this week’s Hispanic Heritage Month Batten Hour panel demonstrated, immigration isn't the only policy issue affecting the nation’s Hispanic and Latinx communities.

No matter the policy field or employment sector, field-based internships challenge students to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into action. This past summer, Batten undergraduate and graduate students had opportunities to put their leadership and policy knowledge to work through hands-on internships in almost every corner of the globe.

Congress is back from its August recess, and lawmakers face public demands for action on issues as varied as health care, infrastructure, gun safety and trade. Legislators face at least one set of “must pass” agenda items: 12 spending bills that need to be enacted into law by Oct. 1 or the federal government will shut down.

For Kathryn Babbin (MPP ’19), the Batten community cannot be underestimated. Babbin who graduated last May with a master’s of public policy was drawn to the Batten School for a variety of reasons, mainly because it offered what seemed like a tight-knit community of students, faculty, and staff, where she felt she could make a real impact.

This week, Batten hosted the first Batten Hour of the year featuring brief remarks from Dean Ian H. Solomon followed by a roundtable conversation with the dean, students, and faculty, providing an opportunity for the Batten community to get to learn more about the new dean, both professionally and personally.

Driving through Southwest Virginia, Richard Tadler, a venture capitalist and UVA graduate, was able to see firsthand some of the challenges that Virginia’s rural communities are facing; but more importantly, he was struck by the opportunities they present both for impact investors interested in facilitating economic growth at a time of transition, and for UVA students to learn about all the exciting sustainable economic development going on in their own backyard.

As University students savored their last day of summer earlier this week, Batten students skipped the pool and instead dedicated their last day of break to serving others. Batten Builds, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Monday, Aug. 26, is a student-led community service initiative that allows Batten students, faculty, and staff to give back to the Charlottesville community.

“Lead from anywhere” is a familiar phrase to members of the Batten community, and one that students especially take to heart. Batten’s student organizations reflect that exact ethos and keep the Batten community curious and engaged, allowing students to strengthen their leadership skills outside of the classroom.