About the Public Officials of the Year Luncheon

Since 2011, the Master of Public Administration program has honored local elected officials, public servants and practitioners who have laid the groundwork for public service in the Houston area at an annual awards luncheon. The event proceeds provide student scholarships, making the academic journeys and experiences of graduate candidates at the Hobby School a reality. The 2026 Public Officials of the Year Awards is on March 27 at noon at the Hilton University of Houston Conrad Grand Ballroom. A networking reception will be held before the luncheon at 11 a.m. 

Four honorees will be named Public Officials of the Year in recognition of their commitment to public service, ethical leadership and collaborative relationships. One additional honoree will receive the Pioneer Award, celebrating a public official with a sustained record of service in the public interest. The ceremony will also recognize two graduate candidates with the Kathleen P. Rubinstein Best Paper Awards for exemplary writing that demonstrates a strong command of graduate coursework and its real-world application. Learn about ticket sales and table sponsorship opportunities. For more information about the event, contact Peter Koelling at pkoelling@uh.edu.

2025 Highlights

The Master of Public Administration program recognized five public officials who exemplify the highest standards in public service at the 2025 Public Officials of the Year Luncheon on March 21 at the Hilton University of Houston.

The public service leaders were celebrated for serving their communities through innovative and ethical leadership and improving the lives of others by tackling complex challenges. A resounding program theme and a consistent characteristic of honorees is a strong desire to solve issues through collaboration, reaching beyond departments and individual cities to other jurisdictions and sectors with government, nonprofits and corporate partners.

Honorees

The 2025 honorees are Texas state Rep. Ann Johnson, Mayor Dan Davis of the City of Manvel, Fire Chief David Langenberg of the City of Humble and Harris County Administrator Diana Ramirez. Carol Lewis, professor in transportation studies at Texas Southern University, is the Pioneer Award winner for her long record and consistent demonstration of working for the public good.

Kathleen P. Rubinstein Best Paper Awards

MPA candidates Fatimah El-Ibrahim and Tonya Le were celebrated for their standout papers and ability to demonstrate a strong understanding of their coursework's applicability to the real world. Rubinstein, who sponsors the awards, is an MPA alumna and former long-time MPA instructor.