Alumni in Action

As the co-founder of Myanmar Recycles, a plastic recycling company cleaning up the dirtiest post-consumer plastic film in Myanmar, Mimi Wu (MPP ‘09) remains committed to inciting positive change in communities around the world.

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.

Eric Ramputh (BA ’19) applied to the Batten School on a whim. Ramputh, who transferred to UVA and into the Batten School in 2017, recalls how he discovered the school and why it ultimately was the right fit for him.

Working on issues related to rural poverty may not be as glamorous as other high-profile policy issues, but for Evelyn Immonen (MPP ’18), the margin of good that can be done in just one small town is worth the effort and commitment

“I have always been interested in serving something greater than myself,” said Nate Jewell (BA’ 16).

During my first year at the University of Virginia, I knew that I wanted to apply to the Batten School. At the beginning of my second semester at UVA, I attended a Batten School information session. Shortly after, I called my Mom and said, “I have found the graduate school for me!”

More UVA graduates than ever received degrees over the weekend, and they’re not alone. New research from Batten alum Kyaw Khine at UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service shows that advanced degrees in the U.S. are on the rise.

For Kyle Gardiner (MPP ' 16), the Batten alumni network cannot be underestimated. Gardiner, who will welcome 2019 Batten graduates into the alumni community at this year's graduation ceremony at James Monroe’s Highland, credits much of his personal and professional success to his Batten network—a network that is still relatively young by university standards.

For Sumedha Deshmukh (MPP’17) good policymaking should be able to anticipate unintended consequences.

Last April, Baylee Eby (MPP '15) launched Dreamer & Co, a social impact company whose mission is to provide job skills and a steady income to young women in the Horn of Africa.