Batten Leadership Institute - Hollins University

Batten Leadership Institute (BLI) offers both an undergraduate track and leadership programs for women and men as well as organizational team consultation.

Batten Leadership Institute - Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies 2025

For Undergraduates

Undergraduate classes in BLI teach students how to understand and navigate feedback, conflict, and negotiation. Students may choose to take only one or two classes, or pursue a certificate in leadership studies to complement their major.

Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies

For Professionals

For professionals at all levels, BLI offers focused leadership training and development opportunities. Customized organizational team sessions are available or professionals may seek a limited-enrollment certificate program.

Under Development, not currently accepting students

Upcoming Leading Together Series Events

Apr 20

Monday, 04/20/2026 5 pm

Jeanine Stewart – AI Meets Human Intelligence: Navigating the Multi-Cognitive Workplace

May 11

Monday, 05/11/2026 5 pm

Abrina Schnurman: Exploring the Leader-Follower Dynamic for Purpose-Driven Results

“Batten has had a significant impact on my personal and professional life…making me conscious of my priorities when entering a conversation and of the values that shape my perspective. It has also taught me how to negotiate.”

Catie Asip

“Understanding who I am as a leader has always been extremely important to me. Participation in the BLI taught me that developing a deeper understanding of others is a true measure of exceptional leadership. The experience was priceless.”

Kimberly A.C. Enochs

SPHR, senior vice president, Rutherfoord Companies

“Our region embraces a culture of leadership and BLI’s program offers a world-class experience of personal and professional development…expand your organization’s leadership learning by attending or sending an emerging leader to BLI’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program.”

Cynthia Lawrence

Owner, PerformanceLink

The History of BLI

In 2002, Hollins created the Batten Leadership Institute. It’s named for the late business leader and philanthropist Frank Batten, and his wife, Jane Parke Batten, Hollins class of 1958.

Batten grew up in Norfolk working for his family-owned newspapers and became their publisher at age 27. In the 1980s, he and his company took a calculated risk with the start-up of the Weather Channel. He was the widely respected chair and CEO of Landmark Media Enterprises, LLC, before it was sold to NBC Universal.

His mother, Dorothy Martin Batten Bass ’24, his wife, Jane Parke Batten ’58, and one of his daughters, Dorothy Batten ’85, all attended Hollins. He also served on the Hollins Board of Trustees.

The Batten family has been extraordinarily generous, having given more than $170 million to a variety of schools and organizations, including Hollins.

What the Experts Say…

“The intensive exposure the Institute provides to the theory and practice of leadership is without peer among undergraduate programs for women.”

Loren Gary
Associate Director for Leadership Development & Public Affairs,��Center for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government,��Harvard University

Practical and Professional Leadership Guidance

Executive Education: Certificate in Leadership

This certificate in leadership program provides innovative training opportunities for the Roanoke region. Graduates grow in ways that foster clear movement in their organizations and community endeavors. Consider enrolling a promising leader this year.

Under Development, not currently taking students