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Honoring 60 Years of Service at the University of Houston
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Former students, colleagues and community leaders shaped by Richard Murray’s influence gathered on April 9 at the Eldorado Ballroom to celebrate his six decades of service to the University of Houston. Murray has built a legacy as a respected pollster, educator and mentor who has guided generations of students and public servants. Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on his lasting impact on Houston and Texas politics, as well as his role in helping lay the foundation for the Hobby School. Master of ceremonies Doug Miller guided the program, introducing special guests. Hobby School Dean Jim Granato opened with remarks highlighting Murray’s contributions to establishing the Center for Public Policy in 1981 and connecting students to public service opportunities. He also noted Murray’s continued involvement as a guest speaker, election analyst and writer on the state’s changing demographics and political trends. Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado and Texas state Rep. Jolanda Jones, all former students of Murray, joined former Houston Chronicle journalists Nene Foxhall and Alan Bernstein and Houston Chronicle columnist Joe Holley in sharing stories about Murray as a professor, commentator and friend. Chaired by Hobby School Advisory Board member Kathryn McNiel, the event supported tomorrow’s leaders. Proceeds will benefit University of Houston students in the 2027 Hobby Fellows program, who will serve as full-time legislative interns in Austin during the 90th Texas Legislature.
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Can We Talk? Boot Camp Hosts Civic Debate
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The final session in the Career Readiness Workshop series focused on strengthening civic dialogue skills. During the spring Civic Engagement Boot Camp, participants engaged in parliamentary-style debates led by the College Debates and Discourse Alliance, designed to foster constructive conversations across differences. Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez delivered the keynote address, highlighting his citywide initiative, Bringing Houston Together, which promotes dialogue among residents with differing perspectives. He also discussed the role of the Houston City Council in local government and how his legal background informs his work on issues affecting Houstonians. Session facilitator Sadie Webb, associate director of the CD&D Alliance, guided participants through discussions rooted in curiosity and mutual respect. Using the debate framework, the group examined recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations nationwide. The CD&D Alliance’s work aligns with the Hobby School’s mission to prepare future leaders through meaningful civic engagement.
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Hobby Talks: Inside Houston City Hall with Alejandra Salinas
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On this episode of Hobby Talks, Dean Jim Granato sits down with Alejandra Salinas, the newest at-large member of the Houston City Council. They discuss how her early advocacy, including speaking at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and serving as president of the College Democrats of America, shaped her belief in using her voice to serve others. Salinas shares what inspired her to run for public office, her vision for City Hall, strategies for making local government more accessible, and advice for students pursuing public service careers. She also provided insight into working with various stakeholders, using data to guide policy, and addressing Houston’s most pressing challenges. Salinas won a special election in December 2025. In addition to her work in public office, Salinas is an attorney and a partner at Susman Godfrey. Listen to this podcast episode and other insightful conversations on any major podcast platform.
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The Hobby Hour: The Future of Public Affairs Education with Angela Evans
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In an era of accelerating change, how do policy schools remain relevant and prepare the next generation of leaders to meet evolving demands? In this episode of The Hobby Hour, public affairs education leader Angela Evans discusses how to equip mission-driven students to develop effective solutions to current and future public challenges with Dean Jim Granato. As artificial intelligence and other technological disruptions reshape the field, Granato and Evans explore innovative curriculum strategies and professional learning opportunities that support agile learning outcomes. Evans underscores the need for education to embrace curiosity and adaptability while pairing theory with real-world application, an approach reflected in the Hobby School’s emphasis on internships, tabletop exercises and partnerships with government and nonprofit practitioners. Evans is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a visiting fellow at the IBM Center for The Business of Government, and dean emerita of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
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Letter from Texas: Inside the Primaries
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In the latest edition of “Letter from Texas,” political scientist Richard Murray analyzes voter turnout in the primary election, which reached levels typically seen only in years with competitive presidential contests. Participation increased across both parties, with Democratic participation surging and outpacing Republican gains. Murray attributes the rise to competitive U.S. Senate primaries, significant campaign spending and heightened political engagement driven in part by national dynamics. The report also highlights sharp geographic differences and clear contrasts between the two electorates. The increase in Democratic participation, particularly in metropolitan areas and fast-growing suburban counties, suggests Texas could be more competitive in the November general election than at any point since the mid-1990s.
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Professionals Embark on Certification Journey
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The Hobby School welcomed the 2026–27 cohort of its Certified Public Manager Program, a group of public service professionals from across the Houston area. The cohort includes leaders from city management, public works, law enforcement, finance and higher education, representing 18 regional agencies. Participants cited a range of motivations for joining the nationally accredited program, including career advancement, executive leadership development and strengthening public service professionalism. Program co-director Arquella Hargrove opened the curriculum with a session on human resources challenges facing today’s managers. Participants examined issues such as workforce stability, cross-department collaboration, emerging technology and infrastructure demands. Hargrove co-directs the program with the Hobby School’s Emily Janowski. The program supports the school’s mission to prepare leaders with the practical skills needed in an evolving professional landscape.
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At-Large Council Member Shares Stories of Change
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Houston City Council Member Twila Carter visited students in the Civic Houston Internship Program, sharing her professional journey across the private and nonprofit sectors, along with leadership insights and key city issues she has championed as an at-large council member, including homelessness and public safety. Before taking office, Carter worked in leadership roles with the Houston Astros and the Astros Foundation, supporting underserved communities and quality of life issues across the city. In her role on the Houston City Council, she is focused on breaking cycles of poverty, drawing on her early life experiences as motivation to serve others. She encouraged University of Houston students to align purpose with policy to drive meaningful change in their communities. Students in the Civic Houston Internship Program gain hands-on experience through office assignments, community engagement activities and conversations with civic leaders. Priority acceptance for the fall cohort is May 25.
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Public Officials Inspire the Next Generation
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The Master of Public Administration program recognized five public officials who exemplify the highest standards of public service at the 2026 Public Officials of the Year Awards on March 27 at the Hilton University of Houston. The honorees were celebrated for serving their communities through innovative, ethical leadership. The 2026 award recipients are Corby Alexander, city manager of the City of La Porte; Trey Duhon, judge of Waller County; Trent Epperson, city manager of the City of Pearland; and Juli Mathew, presiding judge of Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 3. Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum was honored with the Pioneer Award for her longstanding commitment to public service and consistent work advancing the public good. Her chief of staff, Perdita Chavis, accepted the award on her behalf. Master of Public Administration candidates Christopher Burbridge and Sophia Ilahi were celebrated with the Kathleen P. Rubinstein Best Paper Award for demonstrating a strong understanding of their coursework's applicability to the real world. Proceeds from the awards ceremony supported the Hobby School scholarship fund for graduate students.
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Workshop Provides Career Readiness Skills
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On March 23, Hobby School students participated in a Networking and Personal Branding Workshop, the third session in the career readiness series. Led by human resources consultant Arquella Hargrove, the workshop combined reflection with hands-on activities, helping students refine their personal brand, practice professional introductions and participate in realistic networking simulations. By the end of the session, participants developed polished elevator pitches, strengthened their online profiles and identified clear next steps to expand their professional networks. Students also had the opportunity to receive professional headshots following the workshop. The Hobby School Student Services team launched the series to encourage students and recent alumni to build job application and interview skills and navigate professional environments.
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Staff Spotlight: Meet Joy Hughes
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The Hobby School welcomes Joy Hughes as its new associate director of development. In this role, she will engage alumni, advisory board members and supporters to expand opportunities for student success and strengthen the school’s impact in public policy and civic leadership. Hughes brings more than eight years of fundraising experience across higher education, health care philanthropy and Division I athletics. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, attending sporting events and engaging with her community.
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What excites you about joining the Hobby School? “I’m excited to be part of a school that is deeply committed to public service, real-world impact and student success,” said Hughes. She added, “It’s energizing to work alongside people who are passionate about shaping stronger communities and the future of public policy.”
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Newest Honor Society Cohort
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Congratulations to the newest members of Pi Alpha Alpha, Gregg Gutierrez, Paola Mendez, Naila Hossain, Kimberly Argueta and Joseph Ruiz. The scholars join a global network within the honor society for public affairs and administration, meeting rigorous academic standards and demonstrating a commitment to public service. This spring marks the 17th cohort of Pi Alpha Alpha members at the Hobby School, consisting of public policy undergraduates and Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy candidates. Among this semester’s inductees are students learning municipal government management through the Teaching Cities Program, former Social Economy and Enterprise Academy members who supported nonprofits with data research and analysis projects, and working public service professionals.
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Class of 2026 Commencement
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Hobby School students are preparing to cross the stage at commencement on May 15, marking a milestone 10th ceremony for the school. A record number of graduates is expected, including Alfredo Prieto Pe (MPP ’25), who completed his degree requirements in the fall. Prieto Pe discovered a passion for public service while working at a local charter school. His experiences with students, families and educators reshaped his career path and led him to the Hobby School, where he served as a research and data analyst intern through the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy and worked with the City of Friendswood through the Teaching Cities Program. “The coursework gave me the tools to translate real-world challenges into actionable policy solutions,” the new alumnus said. “It shaped my goal of working at the intersection of governance, technology and institutional capacity.” This year’s commencement speaker is Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, a two-time University of Houston graduate. Hobby School graduates represent a diverse group of mission-driven leaders trained in interdisciplinary policy analysis, ethics and leadership, and advanced quantitative methods since the school’s founding in 2016.
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During a consequential month in Texas politics, Hobby School research and expertise informed coverage of the state’s primary elections, a U.S. Senate race and key policy issues. In March, the school was featured in leading outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Politico, Newsweek, The Dallas Morning News, The Texas Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Houston Business Journal and Houston Public Media. Associate Professor Jessica Gottlieb appeared on PBS’s “On the Contrary” show to discuss her research on depolarization and her work with Braver Angels. She framed the two major U.S. political parties as partners who must navigate differences and build understanding to find common ground. In an opinion editorial for the Houston Chronicle, Professor of Practice Chase Untermeyer explained the longstanding use of the autopen by presidents of both parties to manage routine paperwork and focus on broader governing responsibilities, drawing on his White House and public service experience. Hobby School leaders Jim Granato and Renée Cross joined Laura Murillo of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on KHOU 11 to discuss the SPACE City Panel and the impact of alumni across the region. Hobby School faculty and researchers continue to contribute to policy conversations, elevating Texas perspectives on the issues shaping the state and nation.
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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. Tuesday, May 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Virtual Graduate Programs Information System
Register Friday, May 15, 9 a.m.
Cullen Performance Hall
Hobby School Commencement Ceremony Monday, May 25
Fall 2026 Civic Houston Internship Program Application Deadline
Apply Friday, May 29
2026-2027 Next Generation Leadership Academy Application Deadline
Apply
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