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Harris County Internship Program Fulfills Public Service Mission
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Meet the 2026 Harris Fellows: Aihanuwa Ale-Opinion, Noor El-Gendy, Dulce María Otero, Brooklyn Kennedy, Oscar Cano and Zara Motan
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Through the Harris Fellows program, University of Houston students gain firsthand exposure to local government and work alongside experienced public servants. On June 1, six mission-driven undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students began their journeys as full-time interns in Harris County offices. Throughout the summer, the Harris Fellows will contribute to meaningful projects in constituent services, policy analysis, communications and community outreach while building professional networks and deepening their understanding of public service. These aspiring leaders bring passion and insights gained through past internships, research activities, community engagement and campus involvement. The 2026 cohort marks the sixth class of Harris Fellows and is one of the Hobby School's internship programs led by Program Director Jessica Ruland O'Connor. Alumni of the program have gone on to pursue additional internships, graduate school and law school, and careers dedicated to making a difference in their communities. During a May orientation, former Harris Fellows Caitlyn Foret and Nekane Diaz returned to share reflections from their own paths. Foret was in her final weeks as a University of Houston Law Center student, while Diaz had completed a congressional internship on Capitol Hill before earning her bachelor's degree in public policy. Learn more about the incoming cohort's summer placements, academic interests and career aspirations.
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New Program Builds Pipeline for Veteran Leaders
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The Hobby School is expanding its commitment to developing public servants by launching Service to Service, a new initiative that helps military veterans and their families translate their skills and leadership into meaningful civilian careers. Part of a national network and the only program of its kind in Texas, Service to Service is offered in partnership with the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families. Led by Program Director Emily Janowski, the program connects graduate students at the Hobby School with specialized professional development opportunities. It combines career preparation, networking opportunities and post-graduation guidance to strengthen pathways into government and nonprofit sectors. Eligible participants include military reservists, veterans and veteran-adjacent students who are committed to serving their communities. Participants will take part in workshops focused on resume writing, executive communication and personal branding while engaging directly with practitioners and veteran-serving organizations. U.S. Army veteran Miguel Patino credits the Hobby School with helping him successfully navigate the transition to civilian life in a UH news story. Patino earned a dual master's degree in economics and public policy in 2024.
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"The Hobby School differs greatly from the military, but that is precisely what I wanted," said Patino. "I wanted to become more well-rounded. In the military, I learned how to lead and be resilient in challenging situations. In grad school, I learned skills I can use in the workplace, such as working in teams, conducting research and writing."
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The program provides a $1,000 stipend upon completion and potential funding for professional conferences and memberships. Applications for the inaugural cohort are due Sept. 9.
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Views on Technology, Politics and Quality of Life
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New findings from the Center for Public Policy offer a snapshot of how Houston-area residents are thinking about the future, from artificial intelligence and technological change to the direction of the country and the conditions in their homes and neighborhoods. The insights come from the fourth wave of the SPACE City Panel, a longitudinal survey tracking public opinion across nine counties in the region. One recent report examines perceptions of AI's potential economic, environmental, educational and workforce impacts amid the state’s emergence as a major data center market. Another report found growing pessimism about the country's direction, with the share of residents who said the United States was headed in the "right direction" dropping from 33% in April 2025 to 21% in May 2026, alongside views on leadership and the region's most pressing concerns. A third report explores how residents experience their neighborhoods, including mobility, green space and food access, and how those conditions shape resilience, particularly among vulnerable communities. The final report in the series found that housing conditions, efficiency upgrades and power outages influence how area households experience energy costs.
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Letter from Texas: A unique scenario for the Texas GOP
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In the latest edition of “Letter from Texas,” political scientist Richard Murray examines the Texas Republican Senate primary following incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s defeat in the May 26 runoff, setting up a high-stakes general election between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas state Rep. James Talarico, who has emerged as a strong fundraiser and challenger. Murray analyzes President Trump’s late endorsement of Paxton over Cornyn, placing the race in the broader context of presidential influence over party primaries. He concludes that the reshuffled political landscape in Texas points to a highly competitive, expensive and nationally significant Senate race.
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Peer Assistant Helps New Coogs Prep for Fall
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Incoming Hobby School students can look to Rodrigo Vega for guidance this summer as they prepare for the new academic year. As a peer assistant, Vega completed training in academic advising policies and procedures, equipping him to support classmates as they navigate course enrollment and registration. Beyond the classroom, Vega remains active on campus and in the community. He serves on the Undergraduate Student Advisory Council, where he helps foster community and strengthen student
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engagement and success. This past semester, the public policy junior participated in the school’s career readiness workshop series to further develop his leadership and professional skills as he prepares for a career in emergency management. He has also connected fellow Coogs to conservation initiatives and volunteered with the American Red Cross. Vega was drawn to the Hobby School for its solutions-oriented approach to policy work and his interest in national security. The Hobby School’s Celeste Zamora spoke with Vega as he began his assignment under Program Director Maggie Padilla.
What do you find most rewarding about serving as a peer assistant?
“The most rewarding part of serving as a peer assistant is contributing to the academic success of incoming Hobby students. In a way, helping students succeed is an investment in the future of our community, and I am grateful to have a role in it.”
What advice would you share with incoming students? “While doing well in your classes is important, I encourage new students to prioritize being involved in their communities. Attend school events, volunteer when you have the chance and step outside your comfort zone. These moments add up, shaping how you experience college and guiding you toward opportunities you may not have otherwise considered.”
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CHIP Intern Shines on Campus and in Community
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Congratulations to Leah Iem, recipient of the Spring 2026 Civic Houston Internship Program Award. Iem served in the district office of state Rep. Gene Wu. A senior majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies, she has demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement through campus voter registration efforts. Off campus, she has served as a debate instructor and judge and volunteered on a local political campaign.
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Through CHIP, students gain experience in government and nonprofit offices while learning how public service strengthens communities. Each spring and fall semester, an outstanding intern is selected for exceptional performance and volunteer service and receives $1,000 in honor of their accomplishments.
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The Hobby School’s survey research and faculty expertise generated extensive media coverage in May, particularly around high-profile local and state primary runoff elections. Recent polling and analysis were featured in prominent outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Hill, Politico, USA Today, Newsweek, Newsmax, Time, Punchbowl News, Breitbart, VoteHub, Al Jazeera, Texas Monthly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Texan, Courthouse News, Texas Standard and Texas Scorecard. Hobby School researchers Renée Cross and Mark P. Jones contributed analysis to Texas Tribune coverage of former Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer’s defeat of former Houston Mayor Annise Parker in the Democratic nomination for Harris County judge, offering insight into voter turnout and generational dynamics shaping the outcome. In addition, Cross was also quoted in national publications such as Newsweek and the Christian Science Monitor about the U.S. Senate race in Texas. The Center for Public Policy’s SPACE City Panel reports informed reporting on public opinion surrounding artificial intelligence and data center development, with findings featured in the Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media and Spanish-language outlets. Research Assistant Professor Maria Perez Arguelles told Houston Public Media that residents identified energy demand as their top concern about data centers, followed by environmental impact and water usage. Faculty expertise also informed coverage of local policy issues. Assistant professor Blake Heller was quoted in the Houston Chronicle’s reporting on Houston ISD, providing commentary on enrollment declines in the state’s largest school district and insights into voter behavior in school bond elections. Professor of practice Chase Untermeyer was named the Houston Public Library’s first diplomat-in-residence, a milestone highlighted by the Houston Business Journal that reflects the school’s continued role in public service leadership.
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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. Saturday, June 13, 12:40-4 p.m.
Summer Service Event at the Houston Food Bank
Hosted by the Hobby School Alumni Association
535 Portwall St., Houston, TX, 77029 Register
Tuesday, July 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Virtual Graduate Programs Information Session Register
Wednesday, June 17, 7:15 p.m.
Trivia Night with the Hobby School Alumni Association
Drop of the Creator Spirits Co.
10929 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston, TX, 77096
Sunday, July 26, 1 p.m.
Hobby School Alumni Association General Meeting and Elections
District 7 EaDo
1508 Hutchins St., Houston, TX 77003 RSVP
Thursday, July 30
National Intern Day
Saturday, August 1
Graduate Programs Domestic Application Deadline
Learn More
Monday, Aug. 24
First Day of Classes
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