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Excitement is building at the Hobby School as construction begins on its 42,000-square-foot academic building. The new facility will foster collaboration among students, policymakers and practitioners while serving as a hub for research, civic engagement and thought-provoking lectures on public policy and leadership. As construction progresses, sitework will temporarily affect pedestrian pathways and access points to the Hobby School's offices in Bates Law Building. To help visitors navigate these changes, the communications team has created a walking directions video with step-by-step guidance from the Elgin Street Garage, the nearest visitor parking location, to the current offices. To view the updated walking route and follow construction progress through the campus webcam, visit the Hobby School's website.
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Students Apply Data Skills to Drive Impact
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As part of the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy, students work with nonprofit leaders who share professional insights and real-world challenges shaping their organizations. This summer, 13 undergraduate and graduate students have assignments with four Houston-area agencies to translate data and research into action. Two participating agency representatives are Hobby School alumni Patrick Gill (MPP ‘18) and Dahlia Chaudhury (MPA ‘24), who return as partners in developing the next generation of public service leaders. Student analysts, including three Master of Public Policy candidates, are evaluating complex datasets to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and deliver evidence-based recommendations. The projects will examine the long-term impact of homeownership with Houston Habitat for Humanity, barriers to municipal employee wellness usage with the Texas City Management Association, disparities in life expectancy with the Center for Health and Thriving, and public education challenges with Good Reason Houston. A collaboration between the UH Department of Economics and the Hobby School, the co-curricular program is led by Pablo Pinto of the Hobby School and Germán Cubas and Piruz Saboury of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
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David Ramirez Continues Academic Journey After Graduation
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When David Ramirez crossed the stage in May, he had a clear sense of what comes next, shaped by his experience in the Master of Public Administration program. His academic training, combined with community-centered work, deepened his understanding of how data can be used to address issues in higher education and reinforced his commitment to expanding opportunities for all students.
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“The MPA program challenged me to think critically about student success and ultimately inspired me to pursue a career that bridges research, policy and practice,” said Ramirez. Through his work supporting students in TRIO Upward Bound, collaboration with the Academic Achievers Program, and national leadership with Alpha Psi Lambda, Ramirez has focused on mentorship and student success. He encourages students to value their experiences. “Graduate studies are about developing the skills to ask meaningful questions and use evidence to create positive change,” he said. “From critical thinking and data analysis to leadership and communication, the skills you develop can open doors to a variety of careers in public service and research.”
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This fall, Ramirez will begin a Ph.D. in the UH College of Education, focusing on educational access, retention and outcomes for Latino students, continuing a path rooted in both research and impact. For prospective students ready to turn insight into action through an advanced degree at the Hobby School, the application deadline for fall graduate programs is Aug. 1.
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Holman Earns National Book Honor
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Professor Mirya Holman’s book “The Hidden Face of Local Power” received an honorable mention for the 2026 Dennis Judd Prize for Best Book in Urban and Local Politics from the American Political Science Association. The national award recognizes outstanding scholarship in urban politics and local governance. In the book, Holman examines how appointed boards and commissions shape policymaking in U.S. cities and influence power, representation and democratic participation. The work offers a framework for understanding how local government can allocate authority and how those decisions can reinforce inequities.
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Holman’s scholarship has also been recognized at the University of Houston. She received a 2026 President’s Circle Award for “The Power of the Badge,” a book she co-authored that examines the role of elected county sheriffs across the United States. In addition to these honors, Holman continues to present her research nationally and internationally, sharing multiple papers this summer at major academic conferences.
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Texas and California: Two Congressional Redistricting Maps; Two Very Different Likely Results
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In the latest edition of “Letter from Texas,” political scientist Richard Murray examines how the mid-decade congressional redistricting efforts in Texas and California are likely to shape the November general election. Drawing on primary election results, Murray analyzes voting patterns across newly drawn congressional districts and compares them with historical election trends. He also considers broader political indicators, including voter sentiment and demographic shifts, to assess each party's electoral prospects. Murray concludes that Democrats are strongly positioned to realize their targeted gains in California, while Texas remains far more competitive.
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Hobby School Leaders Join National Initiative
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Associate Professor Jessica Gottlieb and Program Director Jessica Ruland O’Connor represented the Hobby School at a Volcker Alliance convening hosted by the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. As one of 10 public affairs schools participating in the Volcker Alliance’s Constructive Dialogue Scaling Initiative, the Hobby School joined peer institutions from across the country to develop strategies to expand programs that promote constructive dialogue and address political polarization at college campuses. Participants heard from leaders on building institutional support, measuring impact, and creating sustainable efforts that foster meaningful conversations.
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Ruland O’Connor directs the Hobby School’s internship programs in Houston, Austin and Washington, D.C. Gottlieb co-directs the Democratic Erosion Consortium, a national research, teaching and policy collaboration among more than 60 universities. The Hobby School’s participation in the initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to preparing future public servants and leaders with the skills needed to navigate complex issues, engage across differences and contribute to a more constructive civic environment.
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Democracy in America Lecture Series
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Acclaimed author and New Yorker staff writer Andrew Marantz will visit the University of Houston on Sept. 24 to deliver the inaugural lecture in the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership’s “Democracy in America” series, which launches this fall ahead of the midterm elections. In his talk, Marantz will examine presidential power, democratic norms and institutions, and the challenges facing American democracy. He will also discuss ways residents can help strengthen civil society. The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center sponsors lectures, conferences and educational events that foster cross-disciplinary dialogue on the ethical dimensions of leadership and complex societal issues. The event is open to the campus community and the public.
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CPM Program Honors New Graduates at State Capitol Ceremony
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On June 8, the latest Certified Public Manager program cohort was recognized for completing the nationally accredited certification program at a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol. The participants included 24 professionals from the Houston area representing government, higher education and nonprofit agencies. Graduation keynote speaker Brian Francis, a program alumnus, spoke about the role participants play in strengthening their communities. He was introduced by Miha Vindis, Texas CPM director. Program co-directors Emily Janowski and Arquella Hargrove lead the Hobby School’s CPM curriculum, which provides public sector managers with applied training in best practices while strengthening their professional networks. The program was established in 1996 at the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service to improve the effectiveness of current and emerging government leaders while continuing the Hobby family’s legacy of public service. Upon completion of the 14-month program, graduates earn the Certified Public Manager credential.
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Applications Open for Civic Engagement Ambassadors
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The Hobby School is seeking applications for the 2026–27 Student Civic Ambassadors program. Supported by a national Students Learn Students Vote Coalition grant, the program empowers undergraduate and graduate students from all majors to promote civic responsibility and campus engagement. Working under the direction of Program Director Jessica Ruland O’Connor, ambassadors collaborate with student organizations and community partners to expand nonpartisan civic engagement opportunities. They serve as peer leaders, organizing voter registration drives, educational workshops and activities designed to encourage informed participation in democracy. The position includes a $1,500 per semester stipend and requires an average commitment of 10 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Ambassadors gain leadership experience while building connections with peers, community organizations and civic leaders. Applications are due July 20.
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2027 Hobby Fellows-Austin Program
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Cullen Watkins was a 2025 Hobby Fellow at the Texas State Capitol during the 89th Texas Legislature in the office of state Rep. Charles Cunningham. After the Austin fellowship, he continued working in the lawmaker’s office as a district aide, building on his legislative experience during his senior year as a public policy major. The Hobby Fellows program provided Watkins with hands-on training and mentorship that helped launch his public service career and contributed to his promotion to legislative director following his graduation in May.
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The Hobby School is now recruiting students for the 2027 Hobby Fellows program. Hobby Fellows work full time in the offices of state representatives and state senators during the 140-day legislative session, supporting research, committee work and constituent services. Participants earn a stipend and academic credit while developing leadership, communication and policy skills alongside peers from across Texas. The application deadline for the competitive program is Oct. 5.
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The Hobby School generated strong media visibility in June, with researcher expertise, survey findings and political analysis featured in national and regional outlets, including The New York Times, Yahoo! News, Nature, Nature Cities, The Texas Tribune, Houston Public Media, Axios and KHOU-TV. Coverage spanned topics such as local and state politics, energy affordability, artificial intelligence and quality of life in the Houston area. Senior Executive Director Renée Cross discussed the latest global tensions and local headlines, including a potential U.S.-Iran agreement and the regulation of AI data centers, during the June 17 show of Houston Public Media's “Houston Matters with Craig Cohen.” The SPACE City Panel continued to inform conversations about neighborhood conditions and emerging technologies in the region. Researchers Maria Perez Argüelles and Gail Buttorff joined Houston Public Media's “Hello Houston” show to discuss residents' perspectives on community well-being.
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Hobby School Happenings captures lectures, events, application deadlines, programs and collaborations hosted or co-sponsored by the Hobby School and its centers.
Sunday, July 26, 1 p.m.
Hobby School Alumni Association General Meeting and Elections
District 7 EaDo
1508 Hutchins St., Houston, TX 77003 RSVP
Saturday, August 1
Graduate Programs Domestic Application Deadline
Learn More
Monday, Aug. 24
First Day of Classes Wednesday, September 9
Service to Service Program Application Deadline
Learn More Thursday, Sept. 24, 4-5:30 p.m.
Save the Date: Defending Democracy with Andrew Marantz of The New Yorker
Rockwell Pavilion, M.D. Anderson Library
Democracy in America Lecture Series
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