Garnet Coleman Award for Student Excellence

The Garnet Coleman Award for Student Excellence honors former Texas state Rep. Garnet Coleman for his legacy of public service and support for the programs and students at the Hobby School of Public Affairs.

This award is presented to at least one graduating Hobby School student each year for outstanding academic performance and understanding of public service. A committee of Hobby School faculty and administrators selects the honorees. Selected students receive a commemorative plaque and individual recognition during the spring commencement ceremony.

About Garnet Coleman

Rep. Garnet Coleman has been a steadfast advocate for the Hobby School mission and its leadership role in policy research, data analysis and public service education. He was instrumental in the Center for Public Policy’s first legislative appropriation in 1999, and he remained an undeniable driving force behind the establishment of the Hobby School of Public Affairs as a stand-alone school in 2016. He also championed state funding for a new Hobby School building and consistently hosted and mentored numerous Civic Houston Interns and Hobby Fellows in his offices in Houston and Austin.

Former Texas state Representative Garnet Coleman represented parts of central and southeast Houston in state House District 147 for thirty years. The Houston Democrat made strides in health care, voting and social justice while advocating for local communities.

At the time of his retirement in 2021, Rep. Coleman ranked fifth in seniority among the 150-member House. As chair of the House County Affairs Committee since the 2009 legislative session, he worked to provide Texas county residents with policies and resources to support economic development and human services, earning the respect of his peers and the trust of his constituents. He also chaired the Texas Legislative Study Group, a research caucus in the lower chamber. 

Coleman continues working for Texas and Houston through the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement, a “think-and-do tank” he founded that aims to “promote human, civic, social and economic justice." 

Garnet Coleman Award for Excellence Recipients

Nekane Diaz Lopez built a strong foundation in public service through city, county and federal government internships, legal advocacy, and academic research. From supporting families navigating the legal system to broadening her perspective while studying abroad in Spain, the former Civic Houston Intern, Harris Fellow and Leland Fellow is prepared for a career at the intersection of law and public policy. 

“I feel immensely fortunate to have gained real-world experience at the city, county and federal levels that shaped my path in public service.” - Nekane Diaz Lopez ('26)

Michael King  has contributed to campus voter education initiatives, served as a graduate teaching assistant and worked as a research and data analyst intern with the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement through the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy, examining community infrastructure and resource distribution across the region. As an undergraduate student, King was introduced to public service through the Civic Houston Internship Program. 

“I leave the Hobby School with greater confidence in my ability to think critically about the world around me. Through the skills and diverse perspectives I gained in and out of the classroom, my time at the Hobby School shaped how I approach problems big and small.”  - Michael J. King ('24, MPP '26)

Spring 2026: Nekane Diaz Lopez and Michael J. King

Spring 2025: Lorenzo Salinas and Danielle Guevara 

Spring 2024: Cruz Almonaci and Andrea Duhon

Spring 2023: Karen Banda

Spring 2022: Matthew Moseley

Spring 2021: Matthew Farmer

Spring 2020: Aparajita Datta

Spring 2019: Will Janowski and Laura Rodriguez

Spring 2018: Alexander May

Spring 2017: Thomas Brown