Batten Grad and Former NSPC Student Wins National Cybersecurity Award
August 21, 2025
A graduate of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy who completed the National Security Policy Center’s (NSPC) Innovating for Defense course has won a national award recognizing his work in the field of cybersecurity.
On August 11, the CyberScoop 50 Awards announced that Kevin Heaney was among just four professionals to receive its “Most Inspiring Up and Comer” award. The recognition is meant to spotlight information security trailblazers early in their careers who are on track to be leaders of tomorrow in cybersecurity. Heaney graduated with his Masters of Public Policy from the Batten School in 2022, and is currently a Cyber Operations Exercise Planner for the National Nuclear Security Administration. Reflecting on his early success, Heaney credited several UVA professors with opening his eyes to important new concepts, including NSPC Director of Academic Programs and Innovating for Defense instructor Dr. John Robinson. You can read Heaney’s full Q&A with the Batten School by clicking below.
Full Q&A with Kevin Heaney
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