Hollins University has received a $10 million gift from alumna Jane Parke Batten ’58 to support the Hollins Opportunity for Promise through Education (HOPE) Scholarship program, a transformational investment that will expand access for high-achieving students with financial need.
The commitment represents one of a small number of gifts at this level in Hollins’ history. It will support HOPE Scholars through the Class of 2032.
“This is a defining moment for Hollins and for the future of the HOPE Scholarship program,” said President Mary Dana Hinton. “Jane’s extraordinary generosity ensures that talented students can access a Hollins education and fully engage in the opportunities that prepare them to lead. This investment affirms both our mission and our momentum.”
Launched in 2021, the HOPE Scholarship was created to expand access for students with demonstrated financial need, initially focusing on the Roanoke Valley. In 2024, Hollins expanded the program nationally, guaranteeing consideration for Pell-eligible students across the country.
HOPE stands apart from many scholarship programs in both its comprehensiveness and its scale. The program covers not only tuition, but also on-campus housing, meals, and required fees, enabling students to fully participate in a Hollins experience.
Today, HOPE Scholars make up half of the incoming first-year class, a reach that is rare in higher education. In addition to financial support, the program invests in the whole student through success coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for leadership development, including global study, internships, and undergraduate research.
The timing of this gift is especially significant. In spring 2026, Hollins will graduate its first cohort of regional HOPE Scholars, and in fall 2026, the university will welcome its second national cohort, marking an important transition from early implementation to demonstrated impact and national expansion.
“This investment sends a powerful signal of confidence in HOPE and in the strategic direction of Hollins,” Hinton said. “It allows us to support students now while building a strong foundation for the program and Hollins’ future.”
HOPE Scholars are academically accomplished and highly engaged in campus life. The incoming fall 2026 cohort has an average GPA of 3.9 and is expected to contribute meaningfully to leadership, co-curricular activities, and community engagement across the university.
The gift provides immediate support for HOPE while advancing efforts to build long-term endowed funding, strengthening academic excellence and access, which are central priorities of Hollins’ Transforming Learning, Transforming Lives: Levavi Oculos Strategic Plan.
Hollins currently invests $22 million annually in merit- and need-based financial aid, ensuring that talented students across the university receive meaningful support.
The impact of the HOPE Scholarship is best understood through the experiences of the students and families it supports. A short video featuring prospective Class of 2030 HOPE Scholars is available below or on our YouTube channel.
For more information about the HOPE Scholarship program, visit hollins.edu/hope.