This UVA professor helps students academically and financially

December 17, 2025
illustration of Robert Guttman on a background with a graduation cap and diploma.

UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies professor Robert J. Guttman says he established his scholarship because ā€œinvesting in students who want to serve the public is more important than ever.ā€ (Contributed photo. Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

For professor Robert J. Guttman, dedication to education doesnā€™t stop at being the head of the class.

The longtime University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies professor is now ensuring his adult students have greater access to education by establishing the Guttman Public Service Scholarship to benefit students in the schoolā€™s online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program.

ā€œPublic service is an honorable calling,ā€ Guttman said. ā€œWhether you work in government, with nonprofits or in international organizations, youā€™re helping strengthen democracy. At a time when trust in government is fragile, investing in students who want to serve the public is more important than ever.ā€

cover of a book titled ā€œInterview With President George Bushā€

Professor Robert J. Guttman has a long history of public service, including founding nonpartisan political publishing companies. He even interviewed then-President George H.W. Bush. (Contributed photo)

Guttman has long been involved in public service. As a former public servant and political journalist, he has interviewed presidents and candidates for the office, run international publications and helped shape conversations on politics and foreign affairs.

He has shared those experiences with School of Continuing and Professional Studies students for more than a decade.

ā€œIā€™ve been teaching at UVA for 12 years, and Iā€™ve seen how hard my students work while juggling families, jobs and classes,ā€ Guttman said. ā€œAnything I could do to help the students felt worthwhile, and a scholarship seemed like the best way to support them in continuing their careers and studies.ā€

Guttmanā€™s career is notable. Heā€™s served as an international economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He founded Political Profiles, a nonpartisan publishing company that gained national attention for its in-depth coverage of political figures and led him to the Center for Politics and Foreign Relations at Johns Hopkins University. He also served as editor-in-chief of Europe Magazine, the official magazine of the European Union.

Guttman hopes the scholarship strengthens democracy by developing future leaders in public service.

ā€œIā€™ve spent a lifetime in world affairs and economics,ā€ Guttman said, ā€œand itā€™s incredibly rewarding to share those experiences with students who are so motivated to learn.ā€

Celebrating Our Shared History - VA250
Celebrating Our Shared History - VA250

For Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies student Andrew Hall, receiving the scholarship has motivated him.

Hall grew up in Wilson, North Carolina, surrounded by educators and a family that valued education. But like many adult learners, lifeā€™s circumstances changed his path. After attending a year of college in Mississippi, he returned home and took classes at a local community college while helping his family as his dad battled health issues.

ā€œWe were kind of in a reactive mode as a family, and I lost my momentum,ā€ he said.

He spent several years working in the food service industry and as a baker before moving to Boone, North Carolina, where he took a position at a local nonprofit food bank. All the while, the thought of completing his degree was on his mind.

Andrew Hall stands in front of the UVA Rotunda

Andrew Hall, of Boone, North Carolina, says receiving the Guttman Scholarship is helping him complete his education. He plans to take Guttmanā€™s American Political Development course in the spring. (Contributed photo)

ā€œI was looking to challenge myself. Without a degree, I knew my options would be limited,ā€ Hall said. His mother sent him information about Ā鶹ĘĘ½ā°ę School of Continuing and Professional Studies. ā€œI looked at the program and thought, ā€˜I couldnā€™t have designed a better one if I tried.ā€™ It seemed made for people like me.ā€

Hall said the scholarship has been immensely helpful.

ā€œIt will also allow me to pursue more ambitious research for my capstone project next year, enabling me to travel to UVA to spend time at the Special Collections Library,ā€ he said.

Next semester, Hall will take Guttmanā€™s American Political Development course, giving him a full-circle connection to the professor whose scholarship helped make his School of Continuing and Professional Studies journey more meaningful.

Along with his role on the UVA schoolā€™s faculty, Guttman is also a professor at Johns Hopkins Universityā€™s campus in Washington. His lifelong admiration for Thomas Jefferson makes teaching at UVA especially meaningful.

ā€œThomas Jefferson has always been my political hero. To be able to teach at the university he founded is an honor. Creating this scholarship feels like a way to carry forward that legacy,ā€ he said. ā€œEvery semester, Iā€™m inspired by the people in my classroom. If this scholarship helps even one student move forward in their education, then Iā€™ll know it made a difference.ā€

Media Contacts

Susannah E. Fuller

Director of Communications School of Continuing and Professional Studies

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