Dozens of students and community members participated in the Civic Leadership Boot Camp on March 28. The half-day workshop organized by the Hobby School's Jessica Ruland O'Connor focused on strengthening individual civic leadership across various roles and issues. Participants engaged in interactive breakout sessions and activities and learned leadership lessons from speakers with expertise from diverse sectors.

Matthew Conner of Arete Public Affairs, Traci Buttram of the Harris County Office of Administration and Santiago Franco of Harris County Intergovernmental and Global Affairs provided an insider's perspective on government relations and public service in the closing panel of the day.

Learn more about the March 2025 workshop goals, topics and speakers by reading the agenda. 

About the Civic Engagement Boot Camp

The Civic Engagement Boot Camp is an annual interactive session designed to teach the skills necessary to create positive change. The workshop will develop and enhance the abilities required to lead effectively within any environment.

The workshop focuses on various aspects of civic leadership, covering the following topics:

• Building individual capacity

• Understanding governmental structures and processes

• Developing representation on local government and nonprofit committees and boards, and neighborhood organizations

• Building multi-sector (private, public and nonprofit) collaborations

• Broadening the civic participation of young people

The boot camp features speakers with expertise and success in public, private and nonprofit leadership positions. While group exercises and thought-provoking discussions may sometimes pull you outside your comfort zone, the outcome is strengthened civic responsibility and the tools to make a difference in your community.