Batten University Innovation Earns Hampton Roads Workforce Council Recognition

Batten University has been named a recipient of the 2026 Workforce Innovation Award by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, recognizing the University’s innovative approaches to expanding educational opportunities, strengthening workforce development, and creating meaningful pathways to employment and economic mobility throughout the region, according to Shawn Avery, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.

The award will be presented on Thursday, November 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rivers Casino Portsmouth.

The award underscores Batten University’s growing role as a regional leader in workforce innovation, recognizing its multifaceted approach to connecting education with the evolving needs of employers and communities. Key initiatives include the 2026 integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences, the rapid growth of its Prison Education Program, and its talent development partnership with the City of Virginia Beach on campus, off-site, and at The HIVE in Virginia Beach Town Center.

“Workforce development is fundamentally about creating opportunity - for students, for working adults, for employers, and for communities,” said Batten University President Scott D. Miller. “We are proud to work alongside partners throughout Hampton Roads to develop programs that respond to real workforce needs while expanding access to education in new and meaningful ways. We are grateful to the Hampton Roads Workforce Council for recognizing that work.”

In 2026, Batten significantly expanded its role in regional workforce development through the integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences into the University. With a history of healthcare education dating to 1892, Sentara College of Health Sciences at Batten University prepares students for high-demand careers in nursing and allied health. Its addition to the University creates new opportunities to strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals serving Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth while building upon more than a century of healthcare education.

Batten is also redefining where higher education—and workforce preparation—can take place. The University piloted its Prison Education Program in 2025 at St. Brides Correctional Center and Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake. Since then, the initiative has grown to serve more than 200 incarcerated learners.

Through access to college education, participants can work toward degree completion while developing knowledge and skills that support career readiness, successful reentry, and long-term economic mobility. The program extends educational and workforce opportunities to learners who have traditionally faced significant barriers to accessing higher education.

Batten’s partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, particularly at The Hive in Virginia Beach Town Center, provides another model for connecting higher education directly with the workforce. Through The Hive, Batten works with employers and community organizations to offer professional education, industry-recognized credentials, customized training, and programs responsive to emerging workforce needs. The partnership allows the University to help working adults develop new skills and advance their careers while giving employers a local partner for developing and retaining talent.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate a workforce strategy built around accessibility, responsiveness, and partnership. Whether preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, bringing higher education into correctional facilities, or helping working adults gain new skills, Batten University is creating multiple pathways between education and employment—and investing in the people who will shape the future of Hampton Roads.

The Hampton Roads Workforce Council connects employers, job seekers, educational institutions, and community partners to strengthen the regional workforce and support economic growth throughout Hampton Roads.