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Honoring Leaders Who Serve: Public Officials of the Year Awards and Luncheon
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The Master of Public Administration program will recognize five exceptional public service leaders in the region at an awards ceremony on Friday, March 27, at noon at the Hilton University of Houston. Selected by a committee led by the Hobby School Alumni Association, the honorees exemplify thoughtful leadership, innovation, transparency in government and cross-sector collaboration, core values emphasized in the graduate program training. This year’s Public Officials of the Year are:
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Juli Mathew, Presiding Judge, Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 3
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Trey Duhon, County Judge, Waller County
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Corby Alexander, City Manager, City of La Porte
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Trent Epperson, City Manager, City of Pearland
The 2026 Pioneer Award will be presented to Martha Castex-Tatum, City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember for District K, recognizing her longstanding dedication to public service. In addition, MPA candidates Christopher Burbridge and Sophia Ilahi will receive the Kathleen P. Rubinstein Best Paper Award for outstanding scholarship with real-world impact. Burbridge’s paper explores the role of public research universities as drivers of the public good and regional innovation. Ilahi’s research analyzes the relationship between party identification and early voting in Texas during the 2020 presidential election, using Hobby School survey data and logistic regression modeling. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the graduate student scholarship fund. Learn more about the sponsorship opportunities.
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Celebrate Richard Murray’s 60 Years at University of Houston
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Celebrate UH Professor Emeritus and Hobby School Senior Research Fellow Richard Murray on marking 60 years of teaching, research and public service at a roast and toast on Thursday, April 9, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the historic Eldorado Ballroom in Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood. Share in the stories, humor and tributes to the respected pollster, political commentator and mentor of generations of students at one of the most anticipated gatherings of the year. Chaired by Hobby School Advisory Board member Kathryn McNiel and coordinated by Jessica Ruland O’Connor and Renée Cross, proceeds from the evening will benefit the 2027 Hobby Fellows, supporting students who will serve as legislative aides during the 90th Texas Legislature at the Texas State Capitol and continue Murray’s legacy of engaging in government and politics.
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Hobby School Polling Looks at Primary Races
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The Hobby School conducted a statewide primary election survey, Texas Primaries 2026, examining Texans’ vote intentions in their party nominations for the U.S. Senate and other marquee statewide offices, including attorney general, comptroller, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner. The findings were detailed in two reports that analyzed voter preferences in competitive primaries, tested hypothetical runoff matchups and previewed potential November general election outcomes. Researchers also gauged likely voters’ views on key issues and the president’s job performance. Additionally, the Democratic Primaries 2026 report examined high-profile races in the Houston region, highlighting voter sentiment in Congressional Districts 18, 29 and 9, following mid-decade redistricting by the Texas Legislature. The Republican Primaries 2026 report focused on Congressional Districts 9 and 38, which were redrawn by state lawmakers, as well as Texas House Districts 126 and 138. The final report, Harris County Primaries, analyzed key local contests, including the race for county judge and the special election for county attorney. The surveys provide insight into competitive races and the state’s evolving political landscape, capturing how Texans are weighing candidates, issues and national leadership ahead of a high-stakes election year. The results were featured prominently in national and regional outlets, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Hill, The Independent, NPR, Newsmax, Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, San Antonio Express-News, Texas Standard, The Texas Tribune and Houston Public Media.
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Center for Public Policy Releases New Reports on Education, Elections and Affordability
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The Center for Public Policy released three new reports examining views on the state’s first education savings account (ESA) program, political fundraising ahead of the Texas primary elections and affordability in Houston compared to Chicago. The report on the ESA program explores who residents believe will apply for and receive funds, their interest in participating and how they think the program will affect Texas communities and public schools. The second report on political campaign donations analyzes giving and attitudes toward fundraising in Greater Houston. The third report, conducted in partnership with the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center through the ChicagoSpeaks Poll, compares perceptions of economic conditions and challenges. The findings are based on the third wave of the SPACE City Panel, a longitudinal survey of 1,500 residents across nine Houston-area counties. Conducted quarterly, the panel tracks evolving public opinion on key policy issues, providing consistent data for researchers and decision-makers.
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The Art of Courageous Conversations
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To prepare undergraduate and graduate students to be leaders in public dialogue, the Hobby School hosted civic discourse sessions in four classes led by the College Debates and Discourse Alliance, a national, nonpartisan program that teaches campus communities the art of listening and engaging around the most challenging issues. The classroom debate topics included state versus federal control of education policy, America’s military role on the global stage, the state of U.S. democracy, and financial penalties within criminal justice restitution. Conducted in a parliamentary format, Associate Director Sadie Webb of College Debates and Discourse Alliance led student participants in presenting position statements grounded in national trends, research, data and other relevant evidence. Faculty members Jessica Gottlieb, Blake Heller, Mirya Holman, and Pablo Pinto incorporated the Braver Angels debates into their courses to complement existing assignments and strengthen dialogue across differences. “Listening is fundamental to good leadership,” said Jessica Gottlieb, associate professor at the Hobby School and co-director of the Democratic Erosion Consortium. “These exercises reinforce the Hobby School’s mission by complementing coursework that emphasizes quantitative skills and policy expertise, better preparing students to navigate differences and address complex, evolving challenges in an increasingly polarized world.”
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Gelwick Lecture Explores Social Media’s Impact
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Cultural historian and media scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan delivered the 2026 Richard Gelwick Endowed Lecture, “Antisocial Media: How Social Media Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy,” on Feb. 5 in the Rockwell Pavilion at M.D. Anderson Library as part of a lecture series exploring the intersection of technology, society and democracy. Drawing on his research and the rapid technological shifts of the late 2000s, Vaidhyanathan examined how social media platforms, originally imagined as tools for connection and empowerment, have evolved into monetized systems that prioritize emotional reactions over meaningful dialogue and noted that the rise of artificial intelligence has emphasized the need for mindful online engagement to help protect democratic systems. The Robertson Professor of Media Studies and director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia also joined Dean Jim Granato on the Hobby Talks podcast series for a conversation on the value of public forums and deliberation, the role of generative AI in the classroom, and whether American institutions are prepared for this moment of technological change. The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership, directed by Instructional Assistant Professor Brandon Williams, sponsors thought-provoking lectures and educational events that foster cross-disciplinary dialogue about the ethical dimensions of policy issues and leadership challenges.
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Workshops Level Up Futures
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Hobby school students are getting future-focused at the Career Readiness Workshop series hosted by the student affairs team. The interactive meetings encourage networking with peers and Hobby School faculty and staff, cultivate job application and interview skills, and help students navigate professional settings. The series kicked off with Meet Team Hobby on Jan. 28, providing students and faculty with a space to introduce themselves, share ideas, ask and answer questions, and practice networking in an informal setting. Professional executive management consultant Arquella Hargrove led the Feb. 18 Application Portfolios workshop, where students and alumni analyzed job applications and learned how to best showcase their knowledge and experience in resumes, cover letters and on LinkedIn. At the Networking and Interviewing session on March 23, Hargrove will walk students through techniques to emphasize the soft skills employers value. The workshops are in the Heritage Room at Bates Law Building from 2-4 p.m.
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Student Leaders Step into Public Service
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The spring cohort of 53 Civic Houston Interns started their internship assignments this semester under the leadership of the Hobby School's Jessica Ruland O'Connor. Open to juniors and seniors, the group spans academic pursuits, including accounting, anthropology, biology, business, engineering, economics, English, health, communications and political science, and shares a common interest in how government and policy intersect in the Houston community. Eleven are returning interns, two are military veterans and 15 are the first in their families to attend college. All of them will apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world applications in government offices at the local, state and federal levels in the Houston region, as well as in area nonprofit and private organizations and electoral campaigns. They typically shadow staff administrators, participate in office and research activities and learn to navigate a professional environment. Students will also take advantage of the primary election season by clocking volunteer hours with political campaigns, participating in voter education initiatives or researching a local policy issue important to their host office.
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Scholarship and Internship Opportunities
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Endowed Scholarship Supports Student Success
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University of Houston students passionate about politics, public service and policy are encouraged to apply for the Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship by Monday, March 2. Named for Hobby School Senior Research Fellow Richard Murray, the scholarship honors academically strong students from any major who demonstrate leadership, community impact and an interest in electoral politics and policymaking. A leading expert on Texas political trends, Murray now authors Letter from Texas, a monthly newsletter on the state’s changing demographics and political landscape.
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Data Analysis Summer Internships Available
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Students looking to put their data analysis skills to work this summer can apply for the Social Economy and Enterprise Academy. In this competitive program, undergraduate and graduate students are assigned to teams and paired with local nonprofits that need project-based data research and analysis. Participants apply classroom theory to organization challenges while building the practical skills employers seek in social science professionals. The summer course is taught by Pablo Pinto of the Hobby School and German Cubas and Piruz Saboury of the College of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts. Working under faculty supervision and nonprofit leadership, students develop social enterprise ideas, conduct quantitative research or create venture plans. Last year’s teams addressed issues including electric vehicle adoption, community health assessments, disaster response tools, and volunteer development strategies. The course is open to all majors and may be especially appealing to students in business, computer science, economics, engineering, public policy and political science. Applications are due Friday, March 27.
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Apply for Summer Harris County Government Internship through April 4
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Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students are eligible for summer internship assignments in the third-largest county in the nation as Harris Fellows. Interns work full-time in a Harris County office on various assignments, including constituent services, communications, research, policy analysis and special projects. The program provides students interested in public service careers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the day-to-day operations of their government host offices. Applications for the next cohort are open through Friday, April 6. Saron Regassa, who is now a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Hobby School, was part of the policy team at the office of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones when she served as a Harris Fellow in the summer of 2025.
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"My office was awarded a grant to give out 150 air conditioners throughout the precinct,” Regassa reflected. “It was amazing to connect people with resources and assist them throughout the entire process, especially since many get lost in the bureaucracy of the government. Providing a resource to people while maintaining accurate records and distributing items efficiently felt like what public service was supposed to look like."
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Join the Ethics Bowl Team: Scholarships Available for UH Undergraduates
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The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership is offering six $1,500 scholarships to UH undergraduates from any major to join the 2026-2027 Ethics Bowl team. Students take part in regular trainings, prepare ethical case analyses and will compete in the Texas Regional Ethics Bowl in San Antonio in the fall. For public policy major Nzube Anwaegbu, being part of the inaugural cohort has been a transformative experience. She is one of five undergraduates who have earned a spot at the 2026 National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl in St. Louis this March.
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“Being a part of the Ethics Bowl team has helped me to hone my critical and analytical thinking skills,” said Anwaegbu. “It has also broadened my perspective, allowing me to view things from multiple angles. This experience has made me more receptive to new ideas and a greater understanding of concepts I was previously unfamiliar with.”
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For those interested in applying ethical frameworks to today’s most pressing challenges, learn more about the opportunity and submit the required materials by Wednesday, April 15.
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Research Examines HISD Enrollment Trends
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A new University of Houston report finds that Houston ISD enrollment has continued to decline since the state takeover, with experienced educators leaving the district at higher rates. Hobby School Assistant Professor Blake Heller, a co-author of the report and researcher with UH’s Institute for Education Policy Research and Evaluation, analyzed data from UH’s Education Research Center and found the steepest enrollment losses are occurring in key student transition years. Heller’s research focuses on applied policy analysis and education policy, including alternative academic pathways, adult training and immigrant language skills.
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Trade Deals: 2026 Outlook on Navigating Tariffs and U.S. Policy Changes
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Scholars and practitioners discussed U.S. trade and tariff policy at a joint half-day workshop organized by the UH Law Center. Hobby School’s Pablo Pinto and Sunny Wong served on two separate panels addressing critical challenges facing policymakers and industry leaders. Pinto joined the opening panel on how U.S. tariffs and trade policy have shifted from globalization toward a more national-focused framework and the growing use of trade tools for non-economic strategic leverage in the political economy. Wong was part of the closing panel discussing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the North American outlook in today’s trade climate. The panelists shared insights into the mutually beneficial exchange of goods and labor, which has boosted the economies of the three countries.
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The two statewide survey reports and three county reports on primary contests generated more than 60 media citations in early February. Coverage included The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Independent, NPR, Newsmax, Houston Chronicle, WFAA, The Dallas Morning News, San Antonio Express-News, Texas Standard, The Texas Tribune and Houston Public Media, among many others. Hobby School researchers Renée Cross and Mark P. Jones provided extensive commentary on the results, including an appearance on Houston Public Media’s flagship talk show, “Houston Matters with Craig Cohen.” The third wave of the SPACE City Panel reports examined affordability comparisons between Houston and Chicago, perceptions of school vouchers and views on campaign donations. Hobby School researcher Blake Heller joined Houston Public Media’s “Hello Houston” co-hosts to share insights into findings that area respondents overestimated the education savings program’s impact ahead of its recent application period. Hobby School faculty members and researchers continue to contribute to conversations shaping public policy and elevating Texans’ perspectives on issues of importance to 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. Sunday, March 1 Fall 2026 Graduate Programs Domestic Application Deadline Learn More Monday, March 2
Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship Application Deadline
Apply Tuesday, March 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Virtual Graduate Programs Information Session
Register Monday, March 23, 2-4 p.m.
Networking and Interviewing Student Workshop
Heritage Room (201), Bates Law Building
Career Readiness Workshop Series
Register Friday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Master of Public Administration Program’s Public Officials of the Year Awards
UH Hilton's Conrad Grand Ballroom
4450 University Drive
Purchase Tickets or Tables Friday, March 27
Social Economy and Enterprise Academy Application Deadline
Apply Monday, April 6
Harris Fellows Application Deadline
Apply Wednesday, April 15
2026-2027 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center Ethics Bowl Team Application Deadline
Apply
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