The reputation of the Hobby School of Public Affairs as a thriving resource for public affairs education, innovative research and civic engagement is evident in our students and alumni who are active in their communities and workplaces. We turn the spotlight on emerging leaders and professionals making a difference across various industries and sectors.
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From UH to Capitol Hill: Building Pathways to Public Service
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2026 Leland Fellows Rawan Barazi, Kailey DeLorenzo, Hector Doratt, Nekane Diaz, Panos Georgantas, Kylie Nichols, Kelly Nguyen, Ferah Odili, Madison Rainwater and Laisha Ramirez
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In March, program director Jessica Ruland O’Connor and multimedia specialist Falon Boehm traveled to Washington, D.C., to engage with the 2026 cohort of Leland Fellows. Ruland O’Connor, who directs internship programs at the Hobby School, met with students in their congressional offices, hosted a group dinner to reflect on their experiences and brought alumni together to strengthen connections and future opportunities. The internship program places University of Houston students at the center of the inner workings of the federal government through Capitol Hill assignments, where they spend their days researching legislation, supporting congressional staff, collaborating across offices and engaging with constituents. During the visit, Boehm went behind the scenes with several Leland Fellows volunteering at Francis on the Hill, a local nonprofit serving residents in the Columbia Heights area with fresh produce and essential resources, showcasing the Leland Fellows program’s emphasis on service alongside public policy. For three University of Houston alumnae, this year’s cohort represents a full-circle moment. As former Leland Fellows now working in congressional offices, they are mentoring and hosting students in the same program that helped launch their careers. Andrea Cubillos, a 2022 Leland Fellow and a current legislative aide in Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office, is mentoring political science major Kylie Nichols. Reflecting on her own experience, Cubillos noted how the program prepared her for her role today.
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“I came to understand what policymaking really looks like,” Cubillos said. “Working with the 2026 Leland Fellows allows me to be more present and aware of what they’re experiencing and be a better mentor.”
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Similarly, 2024 Leland Fellow Marissa Rendon, a staff assistant in Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s office, is guiding Laisha Ramirez. Rendon emphasized the program’s role in expanding access to opportunities that are often out of reach for many students.
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Marissa Rendon (left) and Laisha Ramirez (right) in the office of U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, March 2026.
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“The reason Mickey Leland started this opportunity was to give students like us the chance to work on the Hill for a member of Congress,” Rendon said. “It’s been a great opportunity to share our experiences and show them the way.”
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In Congressman Vicente Gonzalez’s office, UH senior Madison Rainwater is working alongside former Leland Fellow and current digital media manager Victoria Grajeda, gaining unmatched exposure to a range of policy areas while refining her own career goals.
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“Since being here on Capitol Hill, I’ve been able to explore different career paths and possibilities,” Rainwater said. “It’s changed my outlook to include a possible master’s degree with a focus on education policy.”
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At more than the halfway point of their time in the nation’s capital, the Leland Fellows are building relationships that extend well beyond a semester and learning valuable lessons from their peers and those who once stood in their shoes. As their journey continues, stay tuned for more insights from the cohort as they conclude their experience in May.
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Graduate Students Step into Public Service
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The Hobby School is preparing the next generation of public servants through the Teaching Cities Program for graduate candidates. Partner cities like the City of La Porte, where Master of Public Policy candidate Paola Mendez is assigned, are helping expand formal classroom instruction. Mendez and her program cohort colleagues, Joseph Ruiz at the City of Missouri City and Michelle Nguyen working with the City of Deer Park, are gaining firsthand exposure to multiple city services through department rotations, site visits and observational training.
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“I was motivated to participate in the Teaching Cities Program to obtain a clearer understanding of what it truly takes to keep a city running,” said Mendez. “Being in this program has allowed me to see how city employees manage and engage with stakeholders to implement change, highlighting the importance of communication, stakeholder engagement and openness in public service.”
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Led by Instructional Associate Professor Peter Koelling, the part-time internship program is part of an agile learning curriculum framework that emphasizes experiential learning and collaboration with practitioners and municipal partners. Participating cities provide graduate students with real-world insight into local governance, with past partners including the cities of Friendswood, Piney Point Village and Bellaire.
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Ambassadors Supercharge Civic Engagement
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Genesis White knows most of her fellow Hobby School students by their first name, a reflection of her passion for the school’s mission and student engagement. That commitment fuels her energy to stay involved and bring others into initiatives that strengthen student leadership and peer connections. As an inaugural Civic Engagement Ambassador, she works alongside fellow ambassadors Nzube Anwaegbu and Katie Newhouse to foster civic responsibility and expand voter education across the University of Houston. Together, they recently organized “Slice of Civic Life,” a campus event in partnership with the Houston Voting Initiative aimed at encouraging young voters to participate in the primary election and upcoming midterms while increasing access to voter resources. White also recently captured a “Day in the Life” as a public policy student, offering a glimpse into the Hobby School experience, from attending classes and connecting with professors and friends to participating in events and navigating campus life. Supported by a national grant from the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition and mentorship from Hobby School’s Jessica Ruland O’Connor, the new program's work is helping build a more informed and engaged campus community. Through university-wide civic programming and partnerships with student organizations and community stakeholders, they are creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect and participate.
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Intern Spotlight: Spring into Public Service
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University of Houston seniors Zahra Imam and Lucia Romo are among more than 50 undergraduates participating as spring Civic Houston Interns, working part-time in government and nonprofit offices across the region. Approaching its 30th year this fall, the Civic Houston Internship Program introduces students to public service through office placements, voter education initiatives and direct interaction with civic leaders. Imam and Romo are interning with the Education Foundation of Harris County, a nonprofit that supports programs benefiting students and educators across 25 independent school districts. Their work was recently recognized in the Harris County Department of Education’s February newsletter and on its social media channels. “Now more than ever, education foundations are stepping up to serve communities in need,” Imam said in the HCDE newsletter. A public policy major and two-time CHIP intern, she added, “I’m hoping to learn how these efforts are evolving, especially in response to government cuts.” Romo, a political science major, joined the program to gain a deeper understanding of local policymaking and learn from professionals in the field. “The Civic Houston Internship Program aligns closely with my academic interests and career goals, and I’m eager to continue building a career rooted in service, policy and community impact,” she said.
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Edward Berning (’25) is now serving as legislative director for state Rep. Marc LaHood in the Texas House of Representatives, following a promotion. Berning’s path in public service began in Washington, D.C., where he served as a Leland Fellow in 2024 with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. He later interned on the senator’s campaign, laying the foundation for his policy and constituent engagement work. In spring 2025, Berning joined Rep. LaHood’s office as a legislative assistant during the 89th Texas Legislature, gaining hands-on experience that prepared him for his current leadership role. As legislative director, he manages the lawmaker’s policy agenda.
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Since earning his bachelor’s degree and serving as a Leland Fellow on Capitol Hill, Daniel Boyd (’23) has continued to build his public service experience in Texas and Washington, D.C. Boyd worked on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s reelection campaign in Harris County, supporting grassroots outreach efforts throughout 2024. He then returned to the nation’s capital, gaining additional federal government experience through internships with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, supporting the Surface Transportation and Maritime Subcommittees, and later with the office of Congressman Bryan Steil. Boyd is now pursuing a Master of National Security and Intelligence at Texas A&M University’s Bush School, based in Washington.
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Sabrina Budisa (’25), a former Civic Houston Intern, is the administrative assistant and event coordinator at the Transportation Advocacy Group Houston Region, a coalition of businesses, nonprofits and government entities working to advance transportation infrastructure needs. Budisa was first introduced to TAG Houston’s mission and the broader field of transportation advocacy during her Civic Houston Internship Program assignment in fall 2024. Drawing on her years abroad, her passion for the arts and her interest in the global humanities, she has translated her experience into a meaningful career path in public service.
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Trevor Nolley (MPP ’22) has been promoted to special policy advisor in the office of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. In his new role, he advises the county commissioner, delivers research-driven proposals and executive briefings, and manages a team of policy advisors. A two-time University of Houston alumnus, Nolley previously served as a senior policy advisor in the same office and held roles with Harris County Public Health and Fort Bend County.
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Master of Public Administration program candidate Gregg Gutierrez started a new position in the office of Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis after serving as a policy intern. As a community affairs advisor, he builds relationships with residents and connects them to resources. Gutierrez applies his experience as a public school teacher, along with lessons from the public administration program, to translate community needs into meaningful, responsive policy solutions.
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Certified Public Manager Flozelle C. Roberts was named assistant city manager for the City of Pflugerville in March. A 2023 graduate of the Certified Public Manager Program, she brings two decades of public service experience, most recently as director of public works for the City of Port Arthur, to the management position. The executive program equips public service leaders with practical skills in finance, communications, program evaluation, and information systems, while providing opportunities to network and strengthen executive leadership.
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From the Classroom to the Community: Celebrating Student and Alumni Impact
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The Hobby School's mission is reflected in the work of its students and alumni, who bring public service, research and civic engagement to their communities and careers. Whether shaping policy, driving innovation or building stronger neighborhoods, the communications team wants to hear from past and present students. If you have turned your passion into purpose, landed a dream role or launched a bold initiative, we invite you to share your accomplishments.
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