Welcome back to campus, everyone. As we begin a new semester filled with possibilities, I want to thank you for your enthusiasm in advancing the Hobby School’s interdisciplinary teaching, research and innovative public service opportunities and extend a warm welcome to returning students and fresh faces. Together, we make up a vibrant tapestry of diverse talents, ideas and futures that embody our commitment to training the next generation of leaders.

Last year, we celebrated our sixth commencement with over two dozen graduates with much anticipation for our first undergraduates to walk the commencement stage this spring. The 2023 Hobby Fellows made their mark in Austin during a historic legislative session with a record-breaking budget surplus. We introduced the largest Civic Houston Internship Program and the Certified Public Manager Program cohorts in the school’s history, as well as new cohorts of Next Generation Leadership Academy students and Harris Fellows. The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Lecture hosted Anita Hill before a capacity crowd. At the same time, several research initiatives and reports made prominent local, statewide and national news headlines or were featured at city-wide events attended by a diverse range of stakeholders.

With another promising year on the horizon, I am excited to be back in the classroom teaching the political economy and ethics of market processes, connecting and working closely with students. I am joined by faculty who are teaching policy analysis and ethics, research methods, decision science and statistics, and a host of public and nonprofit management and administration courses. A dozen Leland Fellows are interning in governmental offices at our nation’s capital, immersed in the federal policymaking process and taking in an unparalleled opportunity to live and work in Washington, D.C.

In April, the Master of Public Administration program will recognize exceptional Houston area public officials who exemplify the highest standards in public service at the Public Officials of the Year Luncheon. Upcoming public lectures and performances will spotlight national figures such as former White House economic advisor Daleep Singh on national security issues and multidisciplinary artist Samora Pinderhughes on sociopolitical issues with partners from the UH Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.

Hobby School researchers are preparing for the 2024 election season with reports on primary and general elections and the leading issues at the ballot box. The Center for Public Policy is rolling out an interactive data resource to better understand Houston’s communities and vulnerability to natural hazards for actionable insights. Meanwhile, faculty members are expanding research in critical areas, such as Associate Professor Jessica Gottlieb, whose co-leadership in the multi-university Democratic Erosion Consortium was featured in the University of Houston Scholars Walk, highlighting those making a significant impact across academic disciplines and elevating the university's research profile.

The Hobby School will host an immersive retreat for The Volcker Alliance's Next Generation Service Corps, bringing together program and university leaders from across the country to the University of Houston to exchange program best practices and innovative approaches to high-impact student activities on and off campus. Nikita Harris, one of the students in the Hobby School's inaugural cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, received national recognition as a 2023 Paul A. Volcker Government Internship Award recipient. She is the third Hobby School student to receive the award in less than two years. Harris is part of the 40-plus Civic Houston Interns serving in governmental and non-profit offices this spring.

Our administration will work with our new advisory board chair, Ashley Smith, whose commitment to the school's mission will undoubtedly lead to many new accomplishments for us in terms of projects and connections, including leadership of the board's support and development of the new Hobby School building plans.

As we navigate through our courses, lead thought-provoking discussions and explore extracurricular activities, let's engage in a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation and success.

Jim Granato, PhD
Dean
Hobby School of Public Affairs
University of Houston